Jesus birth

Octavio César Augusto has arranged the census of the inhabitants of the Roman world. The Order reaches everyone: from the richest to the more poor. In Palestine, it must be done according to Jewish customs: everyone in their city of origin. As Jose was from the house and family of David, he came up from Nazareth, city of Galilee, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, in Judea, to register with María, her wife, who was pregnant (Lk 2, 4-5). So, with this simplicity, the evangelist the narration of the event begins that was going to change the history of mankind. The trip was long: about one hundred and twenty kilometers Four days on the road - if everything it usually happened- in any of the caravans that traveled from Galilee to the south. Mary was not obliged to do it; It was the duty of the head of family.

But how to leave her alone, if she was about to give birth? And, above all, how not to accompany José until the city where, according to the Scriptures, the Messiah was to be born? Joseph and Mary must have discovered in that strange caprice of the distant emperor the hand of the Most High, who guided them in all their steps

It was Bethlehem a small village. But, on the occasion of the census, he had acquired an unusual animation. Joseph went with Maria to the imperial officer to pay the tribute and register with his wife in the book of the sudden ones of the emperor. Then, he started looking for a place to spend the night. Tradition presents it to us unsuccessfully calling from door to door. At last he goes to the khan or public inn, where you can always find a hole. It was no more than a courtyard closed by walls. In the center, a cistern provided water; in around her the beasts of burden settled down and, next to the wall, some sheds for the travelers, covered of a rudimentary roof. They were often divided by partitions forming compartments, where each group of guests enjoyed a certain independence.

It was not the right place for the Virgin to give birth. We imagine the suffering of José, when approaching the time of delivery, for not finding an adequate site. There was no room for them in the room (Lk 2, 7), writes laconically San Lucas. Someone, perhaps the khan's own owner, had to warn them that, in the outskirts, there was caves that were used to house livestock on cold nights; maybe they could fit in some of them, while the agglomeration passed and some place in the city was liberated.

Divine Providence used these circumstances to show the poverty and humility with which the Son of God had decided to come to earth. An example for those who would follow him through the centuries, as he explains Saint Paul: you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, being rich, became poor for you, to may you be rich because of their poverty (2 Cor 8, 9). The King of Israel, the Desire of all nations, the Son eternal of God, comes to the world in a place of animals. And his Mother is forced to offer him, as the first cradle, a narrow crib.

But the Almighty does not want this singular event to go completely unnoticed. There was some shepherds by those contours, who slept in the open and kept watch over the flock during the night (Lk 2, 8).

They, the last of the earth, transhumant people with the flocks that they cared for on behalf of others, will be the first to receive the announcement of that great portent: the birth of the promised Messiah.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord surrounded them with light. And they were filled with great fear The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I am coming to announce to you a great joy, which will be for all the people ... "And, after communicating the Good News, he gave them a sign by which they could recognize him:
You will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and reclining in a manger. Immediately, before your eyes amazed, a crowd of angels materialized praising God saying: glory to God in the height

and peace on earth to men in whom He is pleased (Lk 2, 14). They went on the road. Maybe they took some presents to give to the mother and the newborn. The tribute went to Mary and to Joseph the proof that God watched over his Son.

They too would be filled with joy at the naive elation of those people and ponder in their hearts how the Lord takes pleasure in the poor and humble. When the party ended, the shepherds returned to the care of their flocks, praising God for all that they had heard and seen (Lk 2, 20). After two thousand years, we are also invited to proclaim the wonders divine A holy day has dawned; come, people, and worship the Lord; because a big light has gone down today to earth (Third Christmas Mass, acclamation before the Gospel).

Apostle DM