When we look at the celebrations of the Church we need to remember that there is logic to everything. When and how we celebrate things is not simply random. The last Feast of the Christmas octave is an ending, but in a more profound way it is a beginning not just for the Church or calendar year but for the way God expects us to live.
If we actually consider the entire Christmas story there are lessons and thoughts in all of those happenings that we could meditate on endlessly. The birth of God is the most prominent element but not necessarily the only lesson to be contemplated.
While Jesus and Mary were desperately seeking shelter the star of note was appearing to pilgrims who would come to prominence after the birth had taken place. Before that even happened, though, there is an element that ties these three groups—the Holy Family, the shepherds and the Magi—together.
The characteristic that links all of these groups was that they were all seekers. Each group was looking for something. The Holy Family was seeking shelter, The Shepherds were seeking an answer to the “Why” of what they witnessed, and the Magi were seeking a “King.”
These represent what every human in their deepest heart of hearts desires: safety, surety, and a protector. This is why the nativity story is the story of the whole human race. Even the seekers are a picture of the people of the world: a painfully young married couple, desperately poor and uneducated peasants, and blatantly rich and educated men of all different races from exotic locations. It seems, though, that despite the vast differences among these groups, each of them hungered to find something that was missing, something they were blatantly curious about.
In that curiosity was another common factor. Although each group was basically in the dark about their seeking, there was no hesitation. Mary and Joseph had no assurance of shelter at a critical time for Mary. The shepherds are recorded as not missing a beat. They left “immediately” upon seeing the star. The Magi headed who-knows-where and who-knows-for-how-long upon discerning the prophecy.
In the example of the Nativity, we see that if we are serious about seeking God it must be without hesitation. We cannot hold back in order to plan the trip and make sure it is safe with adequate reservations. We cannot be sure that it will be comfortable or convenient.
The trip will demand our ultimate trust and endurance. God will not tell us how long it will take. We can be sure that on the journey evil will approach us and try to divert us. We cannot control any of the circumstances. We must be armed with trust, schooled in faith, and free of judgment of what we see around us.
As a result of the journey, the shepherds found dignity and wonder, the Magi found courage and a surprise they didn’t expect. The King is a defenseless infant. Mary and Joseph found joy and the promise that going forward, life would be hard. But God’s amazing circumstances were etched in their hearts. Their obedience would change the world for eternity, one journey at a time. By nature, then, we are all seekers.
All involved in the Nativity story were seeking God and/or the will of God for their lives. Each was looking for that elusive “something” that would give light and resolve so that everything finally makes sense. Every human has that urge but we all call it different things. As citizens of the material world we must constantly be reminded that “God is at home. We are in the far country.” (Meister Eckhart).
Don’t ignore your urge to be a seeker in favor of safety or convenience. You could lose more than you ever hoped to find.
Copyright © 2014, Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn holds a Master’s in Education from Saint Xavier University. Most recently she completed Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This recent degree was part of a “retirement project” after teaching for 35 years. She has also worked as a spiritual director, music minister,council member and prayer team warrior. Kathryn has a deep interest in catechesis for the people in the pews. As a “sort of” convert she finds the wisdom of the Church a source for encouragement, joy and survival in a world not sure of anything. Her writing has appeared in diocesan publications and on-line sites, most recently for Zenit. To learn more about Kathryn check out her thinking at: www.atravelersview.org">ATravelersView.org.
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