A Joyful Welcome – The Nativity of Jesus

By e September 2, 2019 Jesus Stuff No Comments

This is part two of a short series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as a guide for discernment. The introduction and “index” are here. The previous mystery, The Visitation, is here. The next mystery, The Presentation in the Temple, is here.

The Nativity of Jesus: Nobody wants to be helpful, the timing is awful, but… the baby is here.

Matthias Stomer’s Adoration of the Shepherds

  • The revelation, call, or idea is clearly perceived.
  • There’s no way to delay bringing it to light
  • As the internet lady says – does it spark joy?

As we ponder an insight, call, or vocation, it either becomes obvious this is a dead end, or matures sufficiently that it demands to be shared with others. If we do not, it will die. What is this idea doing to us? Does it cause us to grow in faith, hope, and love? Do we find ourselves joyful? These are good signs we’re on the right track. Are we anxious, stressed, or obsessed? Perhaps we need to seek spiritual direction. Actually, yes, we should seek spiritual direction in either case.

This doesn’t mean there are no difficulties, nor that obstacles should be assumed to suggest we’re off track. What are the nature of the obstacles we encounter? Do they seem like the kind of obstacles the Holy Spirit would place in an effort to gently redirect us, or the kind of obstacles our enemy would introduce, in order to steer us off course? Joseph faces the obstacle of an apparent conflict between his understanding of what it means to be righteous, and his desire not to shame or distress Mary. God has to resolve that obstacle. Joseph and a very pregnant Mary have a significant (at least 70 miles, if they go through Samaria, otherwise closer to 90 miles) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This is an obstacle they simply have to tackle head-on. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, where there’s no room for them. No room with any of their cousins and kinfolk, and no room in the inn. That’s a pretty serious obstacle, and one they had to urgently and persistently face, until the God’s provision became clear.

While Marie Kondo has it wrong, in that she thanks the object, and not the giver, and encourages us to look to things as our source of joy, she’s asking a great question: does it spark joy? As Jesus arrives, Joseph and Mary welcome him joyfully, but so do the shepherds to whom the angel announces his arrival. How does our heart respond as we begin to describe this thing we’re discerning to those closest to us? A blend of joy and trepidation is entirely appropriate, but does joy dominate? Are we and others inspired to praise God? Perhaps we are not yet ready to discuss the insight, call, or vocation broadly or formally, but whom does God send to affirm and confirm us in our discernment process?

What do you think?