Once while I was still living in New York State, I traveled to Mexico City, and among other adventures visited the zoo there. I was surprised to see in the aviary, cardinals and blue jays in cages. It seemed “normal” for me to stare at every other creature, but I couldn’t help feeling that these birds, so common in the wild up north, were out of place and should be released from their cages. I felt sorry for them—not for any other creature in the zoo, but just for the cardinals and blue jays.

I had seen those birds so often in the wild, that despite the fact that the captive birds looked healthy and active in large cages, and would probably have a greater life expectancy than the wild ones, I couldn’t help thinking that the wild condition was somehow better for them than being caged. I had the feeling that when I saw the beautiful birds in the wild, I shared with them our environment, and at the zoo there was an inviolable barrier separating us. Even seeing a bird in flight allowed me to imagine a kinship that disappeared when I viewed cardinals and blue jays at the zoo.

In the Bible God frequently laments being separated from His people: Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen. . . . (Isaiah 43:18-20) , and, I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. . . I will be their God and they will be my people. . . for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. . . They will all know me, from the least to the greatest. (Jeremiah 31:33-34) The incredible freedom that God describes for His people, a freedom to walk and live openly with Him , is quoted by St. Paul: I will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters , says the Lord. (II Corinthians 6: 16&18)

It’s the freedom from guilt that is obtained only through faith in Christ. If the wild animals are able to honor God, it must be true that seeing the vivid and lovely plumage of birds such as cardinals and blue jays can bring us reminders of His Spirit in our lives. At this time of Advent it isn’t hard to be reminded of the peace that passes understanding and the freedom we experience from our redeemer God. The birds I saw in the zoo probably never knew any other life. Thanks to our Father God’s scripture we do know, and rejoice in the gifts of our Lord.

Love in Him,

Prue