A girl holds a figurine of the baby Jesus after Pope Francis’ recitation of the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 11, 2022. The pope blessed figurines of the baby Jesus brought by children for their Nativity scenes. CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA

BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP

I invite you to find a quiet place and ten minutes. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in the peace of God and breathe out any anxiety or frustration from your day. Take another deep breath and breathe in the presence of love and exhale any negativity that is resting in your soul.

In your mind’s eye, picture yourself walking down a dimly lit dirt street. Feel the cool night air and notice the bright stars above. Breathe deeply and feel the peace of this quiet moment. As you look up the street the silence is broken by several men spilling out of a barn door talking excitedly. As they walk toward you, one of them says to you, “You must see the promised Messiah, the baby Jesus and his parents. Go in and feel God’s love.” Notice their clothes, their unshaven beards and their motioning you to go in.

As they run off, you notice the door is cracked a little and you see the light coming out into the dark street. You pause and decide to enter. See your hand reaching for the door and opening it to reveal a barn setting with animals and a small family. Joseph motions to you to come in and Mary looks up and smiles. Smile back. Feel the warmth of the lanterns and notice the smell of the animals and hay.

As you look at the baby lying in the crib, hear Mary say to you, “Would you like to hold him?” Surprised, you kneel next to Jesus and respond, “Are you sure that would be ok?” She smiles and nods. You pick up Jesus and look at his precious face. Pause to take in the magnitude of this moment. Is it possible that the God of the universe is incarnate in this human baby? Cradle him in your arms and treasure the gift of this moment. Take it all in and receive God’s immense love for you and for the entire human family. Realize that this baby is the fullest revelation of God’s love and that he is here to show you how to live and love. Finally, you look at Mary and Joseph and say, “He is perfect and he is the answer to all our prayers.” They both smile and you lay him back in his bed. Thank them and go back into the night.

As you walk down the quiet street, offer a prayer for the gift of receiving the baby Jesus in this way. Now picture yourself back in this present moment, and with your eyes still closed, feel yourself begin hugged by the adult Jesus and experience his love filling you full in this present moment. Receive this love and know the grace of God in this moment.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Advent and Christmas Season. May you truly rest in the loving presence of God.

Peace in Christ,

Jeff

Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship. He can be reached at [email protected].

Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.