The ox and the ass are stereotyped in certain cultures as stupid animals, perhaps because of their slow movement and gentle disposition. In the English language, the words “asinine” and “bovine,” which come from the Latin words for ass and ox respectively, are both defined as “exceedingly stupid, mindless or foolish.” Saint Thomas Aquinas used to be teased by his schoolmates as a “dumb-ox” because he was too quiet and meek. For sure, no one today would want to be called a “dumb-ox” or perhaps more commonly, a “dumb-ass.” So, we wonder, how did these two very slow and stupid animals find their way to the Manger?
The typical answer, based on common sense, is that they live there. After all, oxen and asses are commonly domesticated barn animals even in Israel. As such, their presence there comes to us as no surprise. However, if this were the case, their presence would also be insignificant and meaningless. They just happened to be there, coincidentally. Yet we believe that in God there are no coincidences. Everything happens for a reason. Everything, in the right place at the right time.
To better understand their presence in the Manger, we need to go back to the book of the prophet Isaiah, which has a very unusual take on these two animals, upholding them as models of wisdom. In its opening lines, we hear the Lord complaining: “Sons have I reared and raised, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand” (Is 1: 2-3).
As slow and stupid as they may be among all the animals, the ox and the ass know two basic things at least: who owns them and where to find their food. The two most important things we often forget, just like Israel: who owns us and where to find what will truly nourish us. We often base our self-worth on being associated with certain personalities and institutions or belonging to a certain class of people. Many times we seek fulfillment and happiness in money and material things, in fame and success, in status and power. As we see them gaze at the Child in the manger, these animals whom we consider slow and stupid teach us one thing and remind us of what is most important: here in this Child is the God to whom we belong, here is the Bread of Life, the only One who can satisfy our heart’s deepest hunger.
And how did they find the Child, as slow and stupid as they are? They did not, nor did they have to. It was Jesus himself who found them and they only needed to recognize him and welcome him in joy. As we prepare for Christmas, let us pray for the wisdom to recognize the Lord when he comes to us at Christmas and everyday despite our weaknesses.