This is an illuminated page from a 15th century liturgical book. Of course it is a tender depiction of Christ's Nativity. We see the Father en-rayed, looking down on Bethlehem through the night sky. The Holy Child is there on a bed of straw which is placed on a red-royal second bed. Mary prays. The cow and donkey stand outside the wattle fence. They know who this Child is. The monk who created the page must have been a tender-hearted and thoughtful fellow — he has Joseph seated and warming the baby's blanket by the fire.
But what I find most intriguing is the larger stylized garden in which the scene sits. From the bottom center urn springs far reaching vines of flowers, leaves and even tiny berries. They might well be strawberries — a Medieval symbol of the Virgin Mary, the delicate berries growing close to the ground, emblematic of the Virgin's humility (down to earth-ness). The entire page speaks of God's super abundant gift-ing of us in Christ. So here is my prayer growing out of pondering the page and for a world that everyone seems to agree, is in great need.
May the love Christ Jesus gave, expand hearts in every place.
May the joy Christ Jesus gave, gladden the world gone sad.
May the hope Christ Jesus gave, keep us from dark despair.
May the peace Christ Jesus gave, be shared by all.
May the friendship Christ Jesus gave, be cherished by us.
May the forgiveness Christ Jesus gave, search us deeply.
May the kindness Christ Jesus gave, form us.
May the reconciliation Christ Jesus gave, enliven us.
May the spirit-gift Christ Jesus gave, grow us up.
May the glory-promise Christ Jesus gave, be cherished.
May the light Christ Jesus gave, be kept burning brightly.
May the God-presence Christ Jesus gave, be reassuring.
May the wonder-healings Christ Jesus gave, find us.
May the prayer Christ Jesus gave, inspire us.
May the promises Christ Jesus gave, encourage us.
May the Word Christ Jesus gave, live within human hearts.
May the invitation-call Christ Jesus gave, awaken sleeping minds.
May the Holy Food Christ Jesus gave, sustain us.
May the cross-carrying Christ Jesus gave, quiet the complaining.
May the blood and water flow Christ Jesus gave, free a self-burdening world.
May the Resurrection-life Christ Jesus gave, be the air we breathe.