A few days ago, I was trying to set up our Nativity Christmas décor. Zek and I, in the past years, would design the stable ourselves as part of his art lesson and our bonding tradition. But due to an unforeseen situation., this year will just be the figurine characters and me.
Baby Jesus in a manger. Check.
Mother Mary. Check.
St. Joseph. Check.
Farm Animals. Check.
3 Wise Men and their gifts. Check.
Angel. Hmmmm.
That was when I noticed that the angel figurine was broken.
Both hands were severed and missing while its left wing was detached.
The very first thought that came to my mind was to just keep it out of the Nativity scene and to just throw it away.
Its damaged appearance would not make any good impression of an angel at all.
But come to think of it, its damaged outlook, does not really diminish its vital role in the story of the first Christmas. In Luke 2:8-20, the bible narrated in full how this angel announced the birth of Jesus to a group of young shepherds. And as if by his cue, a choir of angels appeared and sang praises and alleluias. Bearing this good news, the young shepherds look for and found the baby Jesus in a manger and recalled the words of the angel among those present. Mother Mary, upon hearing their testimonies, reflected upon its message.
Realizing and disregarding my first misguided thought, I fixed the detached wing and gently put back the angel figurine in its rightful place.
Our nativity scene is (still) complete.
How blessed our we because our God never thinks about discarding us despite our damaged and deformed spirits. Sinfulness, faithlessness, anxieties and attachment to the tangible world of materialism has affected our image deeply that our heavenly brethren could understandably just cringe in disbelief that we are worthy to be one of them in future. But not God. Not by a long shot in eternity. Behind the struggles He sees each soul with incomparable and indescribable beauty. Beneath the hurts and discouragement, He believes at the limitless potential that everyone can contribute in His over-all plan for man’s salvation. His divine mercy knows no boundaries. He embraces us and envelops us in such a way that we can be made new and spotless.
All He asks from us is a humble, contrite, and forgiving heart.
In this season of Advent, may we all approach and prepare ourselves more inwardly through a meaningful confession.
It's not that the baby Jesus dislikes the swaddling clothes in a manger setting.
But He'd rather be born in each of our pure hearts.
It's the best gift we can give our Savior and Lord.
Maligayang Pasko po sa ating lahat.
God bless.
Psalm 36:5 - "Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies."
1 John 1:9 - "But if we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right; He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoings."
Matthew 6:15 - "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done."
