Betharramite Spirituality

In the midst of our distress new life is born...

Since the beginning of advent, the streets of Bethlehem had already begun to be illuminated by garlands and lights. On the main square of the nativity a big Christmas tree is already installed, and every evening pilgrims, tourists, inhabitants of Palestine and Israel, whether Muslim or Christian are involved in what is going to happen. The atmosphere already announces that news, good news, will be happen here in Bethlehem, and there will be the joy in the crowds. And yet one cannot remain indifferent to the poverty and simplicity of this place. Bethlehem, today is a small town where the vast majority of the population is Muslim, Christians are a minority; But a minority that holds an important and appreciated place. Besides, the celebration of the nativity brings together all the inhabitants of Bethlehem, as well as people from distant cities; not forgetting the pilgrims who flock to the square of the nativity to witness a unique and universal event.

How beautiful it is to admire the presence and fervour of all those people who come to celebrate the birth of the one who brings us peace, the one who comes to live among us.

In this sober place, which has nothing extraordinary or grandiose, God is born. Our Lord has taken flesh. His birth shows us how valuable we are to him. God could have saved us with a show of greatness, or from his heavenly throne, but no, he comes to us. He comes down to our level to share our poverty, our sufferings, and the reality of our existence. This total abasement reveals that henceforth our humanity is called to enter into communion with its creator. God himself comes to meet the people he created to communicate to them his Being and his Life. He comes to us, to live with us in order to make us, men and women who are alive. The people of Israel walked in darkness, waiting to see a new sun, a sun of justice and peace, rise for them; And the word spoken by the prophets is made real and fulfilled “a branch shall come forth out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall sprout from its roots.” (Isa. 11: 2) The nativity of Our Lord shows us the new hope that is given us. It is a new life that is inaugurated, humanity is no longer doomed to perdition. God raises us to divinize us and make us worthy. God dwells in our poor, weak and limited humanity to bring forth life.

At Christmas the poor take to heart the Son of God who lives with us in our desperation and makes a new hope spring from our despair and tears. It is the light of Christmas that He brings us. God becomes poor to make us rich. We are enriched by him with his life and his love. A Christmas hymn says this: “Those who walked in the darkness saw their night come alight and on the people who lived in anguish a light has shone. The birth of the Saviour Messiah is the good news that brings us out of our anxieties, our fears, our doubts and our fatalities. Yes life is possible, life can be born and begin again. Henceforth paths of life are opened to us. God is here, life is here, love is here. And He builds this life with us day after day and we have to believe it.

Yes we cannot celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and not believe in life. The Incarnation tells us that our humanity is now regenerated and revived. He who is born among us makes us stationary people alive and active. We are invited to open the eyes of our hearts so that the one who is the light of the world shines for ever. Celebrating Christmas is celebrating the joy, the life, the love of God among men. Michael Garicoits contemplated this beautiful mystery of our faith He contemplated God descending into poor and sinful humanity to reconcile us with Himself. «The incarnate Word is a humble God. From the bosom of his Father to the bosom of Mary, what a step! When he leaves this exciting heaven, he goes to the vilest, most disagreeable place in the world, to a smelly stable! My Saviour, what extraordinary graces do you owe to the Blessed Virgin, who welcomed you so well and hosted you for nine months with so much love, without losing virginity. »
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May the celebration of Christmas be a source of hope and new life for us.

Jean-Paul Kissi Ayo scj