The Church of the Nativity was commissioned by Emperor Constantine. He and his mother, Helena, commissioned the building of churches to mark and commemorate important locations in our Christian story. This church was built on the site of the stable where it is believed that Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. This structure dates to 326 C.E.  Byzantine Emperor Justinian made alternations in 565 C.E. including reducing the size of this door. You can see the arch of the former opening in the stones above it. This reduction kept looters and others from driving carts into the church and required every rider to dismount before entering. This opening is four feet tall and two feet wide. Visitors to the church still bow down to enter through this small opening.

This door of humility seems a perfect image for our days of Advent. During these days we can figuratively bow down from our human wills and ways to enter the sacred spaces of our faith. Think of all we must leave behind to move through this opening to the wisdom and guidance of God. The voices and certainty of the world are too large and loud to come.  Self-focus, hubris, lack of empathy and compassion will not fit.

There is room for quiet minds and open hearts. There is room for hope, peace, joy and love. There is room for stillness, for wonder, and for beauty. Through this door we may draw closer to the God we long to know and to the light of God’s son we long to share. May we move through it each day.

In hope and faith,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church