A few years ago, Pope Benedict XVI related the tradition of setting up the crib immediately after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, “as if to relive with Mary those days full of trepidation that preceded the birth of Jesus.”  We decided to do that this year–to set up our crib in our chapel, but with only the animals and the shepherds.  Now every time we pray I find my eyes drawn to that scene, and it is proving to be a source of very fruitful meditation.  Those shepherds are clueless about the coming birth of the King of Kings.  They are just faithfully doing their job, watching the sheep.  Isn’t that how it is for us?  We are clueless about so much of the spiritual life, of the wonders that God has planned for us.  The best thing we can do in preparation is to simply do God’s will for us today, to watch our sheep, so to speak.  And He will indeed come to us!  In our fields.  As we do His will wherever He has us.  Do not give up hope.  He has His eye upon you.

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