By Katie Patrizio
At every Mass, we encounter Jesus hidden in the Eucharist. This appearance under the form of bread mirrors His humble birth in the manger, making every Mass like a miniature Christmas.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. Even at His birth, He pointed to the Eucharist. When Mary placed Him in a manger—a feeding trough—He seemed to whisper, “One day I will feed you with Myself.”
This mystery of Jesus coming to us small, fragile, and veiled in both the manger and the Eucharist invites us to gaze upon Him with faith. Not everyone recognized the Savior in the baby Jesus, just as not everyone sees Him in the Eucharist. Yet, He is truly present—hidden, waiting, longing to meet us.
It’s a profound mystery: Jesus, the King of the Universe, humbly presents Himself to us in the most unassuming forms—first as a baby in the manger and now under the appearance of bread. In both, He offers Himself for us, inviting us to encounter Him with trust and love. The challenge, however, is to approach Him with faith, knowing that, though He may appear small or veiled, He is entirely present, entirely real, and entirely ours at every Mass.
As we celebrate this Christmas, let us open our hearts to recognize Jesus not only in the manger but also in the Eucharist—hidden, humble, and full of love, awaiting our response.