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Christmas appeals, above all, to the senses. It reveals and manifests. You can hear and see it. It is luminous.

We often think of the Word taking on flesh in connection with Christmas. This is not wrong, but in reality, that mystery is celebrated nine months earlier, almost always hidden away in that long and purifying season of Lent. When Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Son took on human flesh in the most hidden and secret way. Only Mary was aware of the mystery of the Incarnation at the moment when the Word assumed our human nature. 

Christmas, on the other hand, is more about the unveiling of the Incarnate Lord. For nine months, the Blessed Mother was the true tabernacle as she carried our Lord in her womb. On Christmas day, Christ showed the world his human face. His mother became a living monstrance, the earthen floor an altar. Those present—her husband, Joseph, the poor shepherds, and the wise men—adored the babe-made-visible through whom the mystery of the Incarnation was now made manifest.

The above painting by Caravaggio illustrates this progressive manifestation: the Lord shows himself, he in turn is shown by his mother, and both are shown by Joseph. The figures are not in their traditional crèche positions. Our Lord is not in the feeding trough or on the floor. He rests awake, encircled by the arms of his mother. He gazes upward at her face, as if himself caught up in the wonder of seeing his mother for the first time with human eyes. Their mouths nearly touch, and they seem to talk without using words. The sense of touch also dominates the image. Mary’s large hands envelope the little boy. Jesus’ hands, in turn, rest over the heart of his mother. She simultaneously holds and displays the Incarnate One, although her attention is only on her Son.

Next comes Joseph. He wears red like his wife. His eyes and hands receive great accent as well. He looks at Mary and Jesus. Upon whom he gazes in particular is unclear, so close are the faces of Mary and Jesus to one another. His right hand reaches out as if to touch his beloved. His left seems to protect his family. But together, these hands appear to introduce the poor shepherds behind him to his newborn Son. Look! he seems to say. He directs their gaze to the mystery whose face is now visible. They will, in turn, glorify and praise God for all they hear and see (Lk 2:20).

Our Lord has shown his face. His cooing voice can be heard. He can be touched, kissed, and embraced. His warmth can warm the breasts of those who dare to hold him. As this Christmas season progresses, so too will the manifestation of the Lord’s presence among us. The feast of the Epiphany will recall how the wise men followed a star and eventually came to Bethlehem. Matthew will tell us how they “saw the child with Mary his mother” and “prostrated themselves and did him homage” (Mt 2:11). At his circumcision, Simeon will sing, “my eyes have seen your salvation,” and call our Lord the “light” that reveals. The prophetess Anna, after waiting a lifetime, will see him, give “thanks to God and” speak “about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Lk 2:38). We will eventually hear the voice of the Baptist as he points to Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:36). Christmas will finally reach its end in the manifestation at Jesus’s baptism by John. We will see “the Spirit of God descending like a dove” and we will hear “a voice . . . from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son’” (Mt 3:16-17).

All of this is summarized by another John.

What was from the beginning,
    what we have heard,
    what we have seen with our eyes,
    what we looked upon
    and touched with our hands
    concerns the Word of life—
for the life was made visible;
    we have seen it and testify to it.

1 John 1:1-2a

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This article was originally published in the dominicanajournal.org and was written by Fr. Bernard Knapke, O.P..

Painting is “Adoration of the Shepherds” (1609) by Caravaggio.

“Remember the marvels he has done” (Ps 105:5). Remember. Last year, when I was a novice, the novice master had us do an exercise he called “singular moments of grace.” The point of the exercise was to compose a list of moments in your life in which God was at work. It was a beautiful way of recalling the marvels God has worked in my life. What quickly became evident was how God’s grace is active in all moments of life, from the most pivotal, life-changing, to the more mundane, everyday experiences. Thanksgiving fills the soul as it remembers the marvels God has done for it. That soul cannot but run to the tabernacle to pour out its gratitude to God for all his incredible blessings.

As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, we ought to take stock of all the graces God has abundantly poured out in our lives. Saint Paul reminds us, “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor 4:7). Everything we have comes from the generous hand of God and the only proper response to his countless blessings is thanksgiving.

A spirit of thanksgiving is what our world desperately needs. The spirit of negativity is one of the most lethal poisons in our world today. One does not have to look far to see the harmful consequences of negativity, invading families, workplaces, and even the Church herself. The antidote to this poison is thanksgiving. Remembering the wonderful things God has done for us fills us with the spirit of thanksgiving, a spirit that is necessary to change our hearts and the hearts of those around us. Do not underestimate the contagious power of thanksgiving!

Holidays can be a source of stress for many people. There is so much to do, whether it be preparing the big meal, shopping, or traveling. This week leading up to Thanksgiving provides a great opportunity to take some time to remember those singular moments of grace in your life. Write them down and carry them with you throughout the week. Let them culminate on Thanksgiving Day by taking all these moments of grace to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the truest and greatest act of thanksgiving. There is no greater gift than receiving the very body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Prepare a thankful heart for him to dwell in. And never let that spirit of thanksgiving leave your heart.

It’s amazing how something as simple as making acts of thanksgiving can change so much. Being thankful keeps negativity from creeping in. The spirit of thanksgiving keeps life in its proper perspective. Keeping before us the countless ways God has blessed us, allows us to keep our focus on him, the God who infinitely loves us and who is with us through our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows. In the busyness of life, it is easy to forget to be thankful. To be thankful, one must first remember, which entails a diligent effort, lest one forget to remember. Consider adopting a spiritual practice of beginning and ending each day by thanking the Lord for four things. Thankful hearts will change lives.

And remember that, if the Thanksgiving holiday gets away from you, the marvelous season of Advent is quickly approaching. Advent, as it was for last year’s novices, is an incredibly grace-filled time to remember all that God has done for us, which fills our hearts with thanksgiving as we anxiously await the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. May this truly be a Thanksgiving to remember.

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This article was originally published in the dominicanajournal.org and was written by Br. Jacob Gerber, O.P..

Photo taken by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P..