One of my favourite Christmas symbols is the Nativity Scene, “la crèche.” We owe this beautiful tradition to St. Francis of Assisi, who established it in 1223 in Greccio, a humble Umbrian hill town. Francis wanted “to see” and “to reveal” the Most High Son of God, born in the humility and poverty of a stable. To a society where riches had become an obsession, Francis showed the generosity of God. In a Church where the clergy sought honours and power, Francis reminded them of the humility of God. In a time of violence and war, Francis showed the poverty and meekness of Christ, the vulnerable child.

Francis knew that the Incarnation extended “from Crib to Cross”: the child laid in the manger was the King who would one day be nailed to a Cross; the infant placed in the animals’ feeding trough would himself feed the hungry multitudes, and give himself to us as food in the Eucharist. It is an image beautifully captured in the contemporary song “Mary, Did You Know?”

Yes, Mary knew. She did not know every detail of Jesus’ future life and ministry, but she knew that this was no ordinary child. That she and Joseph had been chosen by God to raise this child to maturity: in their family, Jesus would grow and be prepared for his God-given mission. Our families, however broken, dysfunctional, and scattered, also carry within them the seeds of holiness.

In Pope Francis’ message to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, he declared: “And where did God send his Son? To a palace, a city, an office building? No, God sent him to a family. God came into the world in a family: a family with hearts open to love, a family whose doors were open.”

May our hearts, our homes, our families, our churches, our nation, our entire world become a place where the presence of Christ is welcomed, honoured, and celebrated. May our doors and hearts be open to love; and may we live as bearers of the hope, peace, and compassion embodied by Jesus, the Word made flesh. Merry

Christmas and Happy New Year!