Two Trees, Two Animals, and the Christ Child
by Sister
Rebecca
The earliest depictions of the
Nativity show the infant Jesus alone, bound in cloths, lying on a bed of straw
in a feeding-trough for animals. Most of
these images were carved in blocks of stone or stone coffins, called sarcophagi.
Not
until the fourth century did Christians began to show increased interest in the
events at Bethlehem. This change was
connected with the new theological controversies and the subsequent
introduction of Christmas, the feast of the Nativity of Jesus.
 |
| Stone relief. late 4th or early 5th century in the Byzantine Museum in Athens |
The
Christ Child is proportionately larger than the surrounding objects. This
difference points out the importance of the central figure: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born. This is a tangible expression of faith in
the Incarnation. In their very
simplicity, these earliest images of the Nativity of Christ are focused on the
revelation that our God has entered our world, become human, and assumed our
human condition in all its poverty. “This
is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son.” (John 3:16)
Two
trees flank the crib. What did the artist intend by including them? I believe they symbolize the Garden of Eden:
the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The garden of paradise has now been opened;
the two trees are no longer in opposition. They actually share a common root, and
the coming of Christ reveals this deeper unity of all things.
This
image is one of many that visually reveal the new Reign of God now in our
midst. Jesus later, during his active
ministry, sadly lamented: “The reign of
God is in your midst, and people do not see it.”
To
the central figure of the child, and the two trees, are added two animals: the
ox and the donkey. Here they stand behind
the crib, leaning their heads over the child.
These two animals were depicted in early icons of the Nativity, and they
have continued to appear in the scene, even in our own time. But in the
earliest images, Mary and Joseph are absent, as is the star of Bethlehem. There are no human witnesses, only the two
animals: the ox and the donkey.
These
animals are not mentioned in the canonical Gospels. What do these creatures
represent? They are there not just to
provide the atmosphere of a stable, nor are they merely the invention of a pious
imagination. The tradition comes from the
Old Testament: “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib….but my
people do not understand.” (Isaiah 1:3)
The
early doctors of the church saw in these words from the Bible a prophecy
pointing to the coming of Christ and to the new people of God, consisting of
both Jews and Gentiles. St. Ambrose and St.
Augustine interpreted the ox as a symbol of the Jewish people and the donkey as
a symbol of the Gentiles. Before God,
all people, both Jews and Gentiles, were like the ox and the donkey, without reason
or knowledge. Now the child in the crib
has opened the eyes of all people so that they now may recognize the voice of
their Master, the voice of the Lord.
It is striking that in medieval
images of Christmas, the artists give the two animals almost human faces as
they stand before the mystery of the child and bow down with tender awareness,
in awe and wonder. The two animals symbolize the opening of our inner eyes to
this “Magnum Mysterium,” this great Mystery: “God is with us.” (Isaiah 8:10)
In
these times when our faith is sorely tried and the world seems chaotic with all
its violence, war, famine, earthquakes, and unimaginable suffering, one may
feel like the psalmist:
“When my
heart was grieved
and my
spirit embittered,
I was
senseless and ignorant;
I become
like a brute beast before you.
And yet I am
always with you.” (Psalm 73:21-23
The
ignorance of the beast can symbolize a lack of understanding and an absence of meaning
in life’s bitter situations. It can
portray the inner silence or attitude of the mind stripped of rationalizations,
no longer grasping for meaning but only accepting: “Be still and know that I am
God.” Here one finally is ready to enter the sanctuary of the heart.
In order to receive a glimpse of the
mystery of God, we need to leave behind the reasonings and ruminations of the
ego mind, which justifies negative thoughts, fuels harmful emotions, and drives
us to grasp, hold on to, control, or be in control. These drives are at the root of alienation and
corruption. They are the major obstacles to unity and peace on earth. Our minds
need to become like a little child before God or like the simplicity of these
humble beasts before the Crib.
…Christ
Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something
to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, becoming
as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being. (Philippians 2:6-8)
Comments