And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
From Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition: Ver. 7. In a manger within a stable, or place where beasts were sheltered. And it is the common opinion that an ox and an ass were there at that time. See Baronius, Tillemont, &c. (Witham) --- O wonderful mystery! O astonishing condescension of a God-man! From his birth he takes upon himself poverty. Had such been his pleasure, Christ might, at his birth, have shaken the heavens by his power, and terrified all nature by his majesty. But these were not the attendants of his coming; for he came not to destroy, but to save; not to display riches, but to teach us a contempt of human grandeur. He therefore condescended not only to become man, but even the vilest of men. (Metaphrastes)
With so many clergymen, prelates, and even men dressed in white seemingly telling the Holy Family that there is no room in the inns of their hearts, consecrated hearts even! that should be so beautiful, welcoming, and splendid, I am going to offer them the little manger of my heart. Of course, there will still be an ass involved, who is often as bullheaded as an ox and stubborn as a donkey when it comes to sin. But maybe that's the way we can resist the spirit of our times this Christmas: we can offer the Child Jesus, His Blessed Mother, and the pure St. Joseph, thousands of little stables and mangers, since it seems that there is no longer any room in the cathedrals, palaces, and gardens of the hierarchy.
