The Animals Adore Their Creator

"The Animals Adore Their Creator"

"Behold"

There has been some speculation recently amongst Academics, Historians and Theologians, about whether there were any animals present at the Nativity of Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem of Judea, in the first century A.D.
(Anno Domini- The Year of Our Lord)

His Holiness, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, wrote in a book he published in 2011 (before he regrettably but understandably Abdicated the Papacy and the Throne of Peter,) that it was a "possibility" that there were "actually no animals present at the Nativity" !!

His Holiness wrote that the tradition of placing animals and birds in the Nativity Crib scene was probably of early Medieval origin and was not based on any earlier practice that could be "objectively proven". Huhh.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI conjectured, that this did not distract from the central message of Christs birth, and that in the overall scheme of things, it didnt really matter if there were any animals present at the birth of Jesus or not!

Understandable, Rational and Thoughtful. His Holiness meant well, he was a brilliant intelligent and cultured Successor of the Blessed Apostle Peter,
BUT IT WAS VERY SHOCKING!
Some Roman Catholics are still reeling from this throwaway statement.

It has sent shock waves reverberating around the globe and has caused unnecessary distress to many in the Church and I would speculate, especially to those sensitive creatures in the Animal Kingdom that we all love.

A group of outraged Animals

The only consolation is that it was a personal opinion of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the time and not an Infallible Papal pronouncement about Roman Catholic Doctrine. 

Phew! and THANK GOD FOR THAT!

Obviously there were Animals present at the Nativity, 

THEY CAME TO ADORE THEIR CREATOR.

Some say, the  tradition of creating a Nativity Scene in Churches and then eventually Christian homes, originates from around the time of Saint Francis of Assisi in 1215 approx.

Saint Francis had a great love of animals, he is often depicted in pictures, Mosaics and Statues with Animals, and in fact he is their Patron Saint and they love him.

Saint Francis of Assisi

St Francis, who was from a very wealthy family and who renounced his wealth and privilege to embrace complete poverty and who eventually founded the Franciscan Order, used the physical Nativity Scene to emphasise Gods Incarnation as Jesus Christ and His love of creation, and all His creatures.

St Francis also had the idea of promoting the Nativity Scene as displaying to the world and the observer, that Jesus Christ was both True God and True Man.
That the Incarnation was real and tangible.
That:

 "The Word was Made Flesh and Dwelt Amongst Us".

St Francis was also very kind to Animals and Birds and recognised in them the unseen hand of the Creator. 

St Francis was Fab indeed.

The devotion of making a Nativity Scene spread throughout Christendom and became a widespread practice in all Churches by the 14th Century.

"The Nativity of The Lord"

In current western culture, where a "New Paganism" is holding sway over the hearts and minds of many souls, it is important that every year, the Church honours and promotes the Nativity of Jesus Christ by displaying scenes of the birth (Nativity) of Christ.

This counters the current Pagan / Secular cultural message of :

1. Materialism "Things / Items will bring you happiness and joy", 

2. Greed "I want More More More" 

3.  Selfishness "Me Me Me"

4. Superficiality "Santi and the Reindeers, Ho Ho Ho and snowmen"

The message of the Nativity of Jesus, is that God became Man in the womb of the Virgin Mary and was born in time and history. 

The second Person of the Holy and Immortal Trinity, The Most High God, our Creator, He who Created the Sun Moon and Stars, took flesh and was born of a Human Being.

As the Nicene Creed very simply but profoundly states:

"For us Men and for our Salvation, He came down from Heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He became Incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made Man"

There are modern "Ignorant / Uneducated persons" who take issue with the word "Men" and "Man" and who say this is sexist language and exclusive of women.

These persons are completely ignorant of education and the context of language and choose to remain so, as it suits their Pagan / Secular agenda.

They choose to misunderstand that the word "Men" refers to "Mankind" as in ALL HUMAN BEINGS. (Hominibus in the Latin text of the Creed)

They need to get educated.

The same ignorant Pagans / Heathens / Secularists choose to ignore that the Highest Honour and Status for any Human Being given by the Roman Catholic Church, is given to a Woman. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Immacualate Virgin Mary, 

Mother of Our Saviour

As the famous Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary goes:

"O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid,The One Spotless Womb Wherein Jesus Was Laid,Dark Night Has Come Down on Us Mother and We,Look Out For Thy Shining,Sweet Star Of The Sea."

Yes the greatest Honour and Privilege given to any Creature, is that given by Almighty God to Mary, the Ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and God, who is forever, the Light of the World.

"The Animals Adore Their Creator"

Yes, oh Yes, many many animals and birds were present at the Nativity of Our Lord.

They came to Adore and Worship their Creator.

"The Angels and Animals in Adoration"

Animals understand and know intuitively who their Creator is. 

They know who it is who has made them out of nothing, 

They know how dependent they are on the Creator for their every need,

They know that God loves and cares for them, 

They know that God created them in their Mothers wombs, 

They know that God became Man in the womb of the Virgin Mary,

It is just so sad that many of us Humans choose not to know.

"The Nativity"

Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Et in Terra, Pax Hominibus.

Glory to God in the Highest Heaven,And on Earth Peace to Mankind.

"Joy to the World, The Saviours Born", 

Happy Feast of the Nativity / Christmas 2017.