Day 34

The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know Me, and the people do not understand Me.” (Is. 1:3)

As was mentioned in the first reflection about the Nativity Icon, the depiction of an ox and donkey in most Icons of the Nativity is unique in that there is no mention of them in Scripture. So why has the Church placed them in this Icon for us to see?

In the passage from the book of Isaiah above, God is lamenting that his chosen people do not know Him, they do not understand Him. These words are from a vision given to Isaiah by God. They speak to the time in which Isaiah lived. But they also speak to the time that the Word of God dwelt among us and they also speak to each and every one of us to this day.

Do we recognize God as the ox and the donkey does. Do we recognize God as the wise men did, who were pagans that worshipped stars. I think that we might be quick to say "of course I do" but we must make certain that the way in which we live our lives speaks to this truth.  We can't proclaim one thing yet do something completely different. Our lives must be centered on God and our salvation. We are about to celebrate the birth of that salvation once again. It is vitally important that we understand what takes place that night in Bethlehem. Not the sentimentality of it, but the wonder of it. We are remembering an event that happened over 2000 years ago, but it is an event that is real, each and every day. 

Remember back again to Holy Friday. As Jesus dies on the Cross the sun hid its rays, the earth trembled and the rocks were split in two. Why? because creation witnessed its Creator die. Animals and wise men came to a manger in Bethlehem. Why? because creation witnessed its Creator being born. 

Let us not just celebrate, let us witness this miracle of salvation that Christ is Born!

In Christ

Fr. David