Manna: God's Boundless Generosity

A long time ago, even long before the coming of Jesus, God brought the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. He led them through the desert of Sinai to the promised land, where they could live in freedom.

Life in a desert is hard. The people were hungry. They cried out for something to eat and God sent them manna, a miraculous food they found on the ground every morning. In later years, manna came to be called the “bread from heaven.” It was a sign to the people of God’s generosity and loving care for them.

Manna is a good symbol to remember as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, times to be grateful for God’s boundless generosity—the good food and other abundant gifts God gives us, especially the gift of Jesus.

When Jesus came, he miraculously fed over 5,000 people in the desert with only five loaves and a few fish. Shortly after that, he tells the people that although their ancestors ate manna in the desert, he would feed them with the True Bread from Heaven. Those who eat this food would live forever.

Jesus says to the people, “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.” Jesus is speaking of the bread of Communion that we receive at Mass. We are nourished in mind, heart, and spirit by Jesus’ presence to us. We have a promise of heaven after this life, and a guarantee that Jesus will always be with us to help us now, in this life, whenever we need him.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of God’s wonderful gift of his Son, we look at Jesus’ ancestry and the signs and symbols that point to his coming. One of these is manna, God’s gift to nourish and care for the ancient Israelites as they traveled through a food-scarce desert to a new beginning in the promised land.

Now it’s a sign of Jesus, God’s boundless generosity and greatest gift to us. It’s a sign of Jesus’ own gift, in his teachings and in his presence to us in the Bread of Heaven, the new manna of the Eucharist. As we make plans to celebrate God’s gift of Jesus at Christmas, we can make manna chains to remember what Christmas is really about: the coming of Jesus into our minds and hearts.

Making manna chains for the Advent tree, Jesse tree, or Christmas tree will be a rewarding activity. For instructions about how to make a manna chain, click here.