In Peaceful Stillness

During Advent a wonderful contemplation is to simply sit and gaze upon a creche scene. The figures do not move, nor do they make a sound; they do nothing except hold their position, as it were. However, while they do not make a sound, they do speak, though not aloud. They speak to our heart of who they are depicting and what we are awaiting. Not everyone does this, but part of my Advent tradition is to leave the baby Jesus out of the scene until Christmas Eve night. Thus, throughout the entire season the scene and all its figures seem to be awaiting the Lord. Yes, the shepherds and wise men are in my creche scene, but for me the shepherds are representative of the simple folks who knew of the prophecies and were waiting, and the Magi represent the journey which involves watching and patience in finding the place where the Star was leading. In these late weeks of Advent, the scene speaks of intensified waiting and of the need to pay close attention, a reminder of the words of that beautiful line of Scripture: “When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded….” (Wisdom 18:14-15) 

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​Everything about the stable scene is a contradiction of sorts, yet it is just as the Father wants it to be. Isaiah wrote some rather intriguing lines that point out the mystery involved: “No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, “This is the way; walk in it.”” (Is 30: 20-21) That is, the all-powerful Word will bound from Heaven and will be our guide. But in an earlier prophecy, Isaiah had revealed that this all-powerful Word would come as a child, (Isaiah 11:6). Perhaps the late Advent creche scene is telling us that the Teacher is coming, though as we least expect Him. Thus, the empty manger speaks of this child, our Teacher and King, whom we will see if we remain patient. This king comes in the deepest humility; indeed, what king is there who would assent to being born in a manger surrounded by animals? 

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The next contradiction is the mother, a humble, holy woman named Mary, pregnant not in the usual course, but through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to the Son of God, who will be called Jesus, the Teacher and King foretold of old. Then we see Joseph watching over his pregnant wife, quietly contradicting the evil intentions of Herod by heeding the angel’s message: he is the father obedient to The Father. There are the animals whose home this family is occupying, yet who gladly share it. In what should be chaotic, peace reigns in the hopeful waiting. Isaiah said that there will be an eminence of light in the dark of this place: “The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be… like the light of seven days….” (Isaiah 30:26) Thus, the final contradiction: in the darkest time of the year, an unnaturally bright star is leading the Magi to this couple who are preparing for the Baby. And unbeknownst to anyone, this Baby is light because He is the Light of the World.

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It is important to remember that Mary is the Immaculate Conception who defuses the light of the One whom she bears within her womb, and will always do so. It is important to remember that Joseph, the silent one, is able to hear angels speak because he is a listener who then acts upon what he hears. Perhaps this is the call of Advent this year; that is, Advent and the creche scene speaks of our call to defuse light by living as Jesus teaches, first by listening to Him and then sharing the gospel in all we say and do. The message is that we are all called to greater purity and simplicity of heart and to ask for the grace to let go of our attachments so that we might focus on the Lord above all else. We are called to be like Joseph, listening before speaking, so that we too might hear angels speak deep in our hearts. And yes, we are called to be bearers of God’s healing and mercy. As Isaiah wrote: “He [God] will be most gracious to you when you cry out; as soon as he hears he will answer you.” (Isaiah 30:19), And again, in the light “…the Lord binds up the wounds of His people....” (Isaiah 30:26) Thus, we are to trust that God’s presence in this coming Child who is both Teacher and King will bring healing to us and to our world, and we also must remember that for this to be so, we must do our part by working with Him, acting as He taught during His ministry. Jesus taught that ‘what we have received, we are to give as a gift.’ (paraphrase of Matthew 10:8 and 1 Peter 4:10-11)

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As Advent grows late and the day is drawing nearer, we are called to imitate the virtues of those gathered at the manger. It is only in silence that we can open our hearts to truly hear the message, to recognize the gifts offered, and to ask for the grace to grow holier in the light of the coming Lord. Let us be ready for time and eternity to meet on that awaited day when peaceful stillness will compass everything.

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May we gather at the creche in expectation, hope, listening, and receiving! May we imitate Mary and Joseph in living the call we have been given with listening hearts and purity of spirit! And may we welcome anew the Lord of Light, Jesus Christ, into our hearts at Christmas! Maranatha! Come, O Lord! Peace!

                                 ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: Since this blog is dedicated to St. John Henry Newman, it is only fitting that I include some lines from one of his poems which describe the mysteries of late Advent.
The Watchman (A Song) – St. John Henry Newman
Time’s years are many. Eternity one.
And one is the Infinite;
The chosen are few, few the deeds well done.
For scantness is still Heaven’s might.  (December 12, 1832)

Images:
1. My photo; Creche scene in my prayer room.
2. Painting in a style called 'gouache' (water is used as a medium); St. Joseph Seeks a Lodging at Bethlehem, (Saint Joseph cherche un gîte à Bethléem) by James Tissot (1886-94).
3. Icon; San Jose Flor de Jese, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested, you can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/san-jose-flor-de-jese-323-william-hart-mcnichols.html
4. Icon; Mother of God of Medjugorgie by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested, you can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/the-mother-of-god-of-medjugorgie-084-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo; New Mexico sunset.
6. Fresco painting; Nativity, Giotto (1303-1306) at the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy; public domain.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

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