The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) (Solemnity)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

Today is a day of great joy and celebration.   Christ is born, and our salvation has dawned!   Today, the Church invites us to rejoice with the angels and saints.   So let’s all do that right now, together.   And let’s use the Scripture passages from today’s Mass to guide us.

God has “spoken to us through the Son” (Hebrews 1:2).   Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father to us.   You are the brightness of his glory and the very imprint of his being.   You sustain everything through your mighty word, and yet you clothed yourself in humanity and came among us as a little child.   You did all that just so that your Father could speak to us through you.

Jesus is the one who bears good news, announces peace and salvation, and reminds Zion that God is King (Isaiah 52:7).   Lord, you are the One humanity has hoped for from the beginning.   You are God’s long-awaited answer to our cries for mercy and deliverance.   It is through you that “the Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations” (52:10).   But wonder of wonders, it is the tiny arm of a newborn, an arm that his mother wrapped lovingly in swaddling clothes.   All praise to you, Jesus, for revealing your power in humility and gentleness.

Jesus is “the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).   Jesus, you have come into the world to reveal the truth—the eternal wisdom of the God who created and sustains all things.   But you did much more than simply unveil your wisdom.   You have also revealed grace—the mercy that doesn’t use power to conquer us but that sacrifices to save us.   The love that does not reject our limitations or sinfulness but heals us and invites us into intimacy with God.   Thank you, Jesus, for speaking the Father’s words to us, words of love and grace.

“Jesus, newborn child yet Lord of all, open my eyes to see your humble, peaceful glory.”

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6

Word Among Us