We don't know a great deal about what life was like for Mary and Joseph and their newborn baby in Bethlehem. They were undoubtedly very busy. The feast days of the Church and the Biblical account of events are not in chronological order. A proper order would look like this:
• December 24th - arrival in Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus
• December 24th - visit of the shepherds
• January 1st - circumcision of Jesus on the 8th day
• February 3rd - presentation at the Temple on the 40th day
• Sometime later - arrival of the Wise Men from the East (celebrated on January 6th - the Feast of the Epiphany)
• Sometime later still - Herod's order to slaughter all males two years of age and younger (celebrated on December 28th)
• Flight to Egypt
• Shortly thereafter, the return to Nazareth, for Herod died almost immediately
Mary and Joseph's time in Bethlehem must have left a deep impression on them. They must have been overwhelmed with the shepherd's account of what they had seen and heard from the angels. Jesus' circumcision and the official naming on the eighth day-even if a private affair-would have connected them with the covenant promises first given to Abraham. Jesus' presentation in the temple and the prophetic announcements by Simeon and Anna would have been inspiring. And what about the arrival of the Wise Men from the East and their marvelous gifts? Indeed, what a marvelous time!
And today, the Christ Child is still present in our times of great joy or trying sorrow. He keeps everything in order, touching us with His gentle love and caring presence. In these special Holy Days, He brings joy and meaning to our beloved traditions and rituals.
THE PRAYER: O loving Christ Child, do bless our traditions, our rituals, our gifting, our feasting, and our time with family and friends. Amen.
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