I walked into the monastery “Suore Oblate del Bambino Gesu” in Sorrento, Italy where I would be staying and the first thing I saw was this huge painting of the nativity on a canvas hanging from the very high ceiling.  This monastery has an art studio and the painting is representative of their glorious art.  Instantly I knew I was in love!  The next morning after breakfast I went exploring, wandering down a narrow hallway and into a small chapel.  Immediately I was surrounded with overwhelming beauty that brought tears.  Even in art museums I had not seen anything quite like this.  As I approached the altar, here is what I saw…

The altar is carved out of wood like  I had never seen before…wondrously colorful and expressive!  Although there is no kneeling rail, my impulse was to get down on my knees before this altar, so I did…right there on that wood floor.  It was not a “supposed to” sort of thing, but rather a natural reaction of AWE at experiencing such beauty. Then came the surprise…

I could not have found the real treasure in this place without kneeling.  Under the table top, yet still part of the altar, a natural cave in the wood cradled the Christ Child in an intimate moment.  And there, with Mary holding her baby for him to reach, knelt a little boy, a shepherd boy with his lambs, kissing baby Jesus on the head.  Here we were….me and the little boy, kneeling before the baby…and so close!  I wanted to kiss him too.  I am thinking baby Jesus LOVED being kissed by a child!  And I got to share in that holy encounter.  It was a gift.

Later as a young man, Jesus let the world know that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven we must become like children….humble ourselves.

Questions to think about…

When and where have you been on your knees before God? (Physically, in your heart, or both).  What was that like for you?

How could you become more like a child in this journey of Advent?

nk