This is a picture from an article - I found in the ACW (the Association of Catholic Women) magazine - called “The Rescuing Hug”. The article details the first week of life of a set of twins, Kyrie (red dot) and Brielle (yellow dot).

Apparently, each were in their respective incubators, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby’s heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.

They both survived, and are thriving, in fact, the two girls went home to share a crib, and still snuggle. The twins are happy kindergartners now. The hospital changed their policy after they saw the effect of putting the two girls together, and now they bed multiples together.

: ) Happy story, huh?

Then. . not so a happy story when we thought of the Christmas Crib - which we find everywhere during this Christmastide, in houses, shop windows, in market squares, in hotel foyers, and of course, in all the churches - and the Holy Babe.

There are little figures in the Crib that makes us think, What was it really like?

The holy young couple, the lady heavy with child sitting uncomfortably on a donkey led by her husband. . They must have been exhausted having travelled far . . and now that they thought they could rest at last in an inn, they found themselves with no room. Poor lady. . instead of weeping and being disappointed, she trusted her husband who was responsible for taking care of his wife and their child. Nothing better than to accept the use of a cave. . where oxen and lambs are already bedded down.

When all the weariness and pain of the holy couple turn into a great peace full of wonder and joy, though, our Lady laid her Baby in the manger, a bed of straw, and a holy light shined upon the cave coming from a sinlge star right overhead! What a sight then. Clouds of glory surrounded this holy family and these three grand rich men came to see the Christ child having followed the star. What a heavenly joy; God was born.

There is a huge Christmas Crib in St Peter’s square now. Since today is the feast of the Holy Family, I thought we may share the sense of wonder and joy by praying before the Crib to the Holy Family. And truly thank God for sending Him down to us at Christmas. . although there was no “rescuing hug” when He was being crucified and died on the Cross for us.