His Holiness Benedict XVI released a new book called Infancy Narratives only a few weeks ago. The popular press presented it as debunking our age-old traditions about Christmas – no ox and ass at the crib, no warming of the infant Child with their breath, no angels caroling above the astonished shepherds, and Our Lord not born in the year 0.
You can read below about how these reports are a complete distortion, incomplete understanding, or actual misrepresentation of what the Holy Father wrote, in an excellent commentary by Kevin M. Clarke at First Things:
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/11/what-the-pope-really-said-about-christmas
While the press often repeats malicious insinuations and charges against the Pope, it also assumes that his voice is authoritative and worth quoting. Beyond that paradox is the tacit recognition by the mass media that the Catholic Church is the outstanding opponent of all the relativistic immorality that mass culture stands for, and therefore an opponent worth belittling and mocking.
Meanwhile, love for authentic and lasting popular culture goes on, and the warm breath of the faithful beasts still comforts the blessed Child:
THE OX AND THE ASS AT THE MANGER
By Friederich von Spee (1591-1635)
Translated from the German
Flying through deserted skies
The raven-wind of winter
Finds the stable where He lies,
Jesus in the manger;
Croaks and bumbles over Him
Beak of ice to prod
Tender flesh and tiny limbs,
Incarnated God
Stop, stop you frost and hail
Wicked wind that moans,
Stop these sharp and shrieking gales,
Leave the child alone;
Fly across the savage seas
Buffet with your wings
All the oceans till they freeze,
Spare my Infant King
I have something to propose
Joseph dearest brother,
Mix the petals of the rose
With ox and donkey fodder;
Make a mash to feed them both
Lay it at their feet,
Quickly, quickly make their breath
Gentle, warm and sweet
Pious ox and donkey mild
Purify this room,
Cense the body of the child
With rosy warm perfume;
Go and blow your breathing:
Aha, aha, aha!
With your lungs unceasing:
Aha, aha, aha!
Pavel
April 7, 2004
Utterly charming, Pavel. Thank you.
I remember seeing some of the articles and all I could do was shake my head in disgust.
Honestly, the Vaticn needs to charge the MSM with slander, this is an almost constant thing.