Advent Devotional for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Nativity  by Sadao Watanabe, Japan, 1971

"The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes."

This familiar Christmas song has always been a favorite of mine. Having grown up around cattle and spent all my life working with them, the thought of our Lord and Savior being born in the midst of animals, particularly cattle doesn’t seem wrong or inappropriate to me. Jesus all through his ministry used examples that everyday folk could relate to, including using animals in his stories and parables.

Animals at times can seem to sense the human importance of a situation, be it joyous or heart breaking. While not wanting to give the cattle too much "credit," I know personally how calming a recumbent cow, leisurely chewing her cud can be. It leaves me with a contented, relaxed sense of well-being.

Maybe Mary and Joseph once baby Jesus was born and the shepherds had visited, could begin to relax a bit and begin to realize the awesome event that had just occurred in their lives. The warm breath of the cattle and their rhythmic cud chewing may have relaxed the anxious new parents.

It is my hope that during this season of Advent that I can stop and hear the lowing of the cows as well as their leisurely chewing and soak in that look of utter contentment (not udder contentment) as I contemplate the miracle and meaning of the Holy Birth that first Christmas.

May you find that place or activity that helps you slow down, relax and ponder the miracle of God’s gracious gift to us as we travel through this Advent season.
Dr. Linda Kaufmann