Christmas: Love is Born

Christmas, like the Incarnation, is at its root a mystery of divine Love. "God so loved us that he gave us his only Son." His Son loved us so much that he became "God-with-us," giving himself completely for us. In the face of Jesus, we see all the goodness, tenderness, and mercy of God. Jesus is the God who smiles at us and dignifies us. We cannot celebrate Christmas if we do not learn this first lesson. Because Jesus not only loved us, but he filled us with love, pouring it into our hearts through the Spirit. He loved us so that we might live in love.

- O God, come to my aid.

- Lord, make haste to help me.

- Glory be to the Father...

- As it was in the beginning...

The Virgin Mary speaks to the child Jesus: "Do not be afraid, my son, when you see yourself surrounded by the presence of the entire human race. Show yourself as God to those who profess you, as Lord to those who serve you, and be a brother to those who love you."

I contemplate, divine child, your outward appearance with my eyes, but within myself I see your inner self. In your visible presence I see Adam, in your inner self I see your Father, intimately united with you. Thus, all your beauty is revealed to me.

Silence for adoration.

Prayer of praise

God speaks one Word: Son.

God has one Love: the Son.

God has one Life: it is the Son.

The Word resonates in us. Love overflows in us to whom he gave his Word, his Love, and his life: he gave us the Son forever.

The Son has one answer: Father.

The Son has one Love: the Father.

The Son has one Life: it is Father.

The Son encourages us to say: Father, to trust him, to put ourselves in his strong hands, and to fear nothing.

And the Spirit shone in glory on the faces of the Father and the Son, and poured it out like ointment on our hearts; and inspired the song of "Abba." And the Spirit united us with the Father, the Son, in perfect communion.

Silence for meditation.

Reading.

This Christmas seems to have been more deeply meaningful for me... Jesus in this silence was like a silent cry for us... It is as if he were asking us not to take our eyes off him, so that we might learn his message of salvation.

One day, as I sang "Today love is born on earth," this theme of love that I am working on came to mind, and I said to myself, "You see! He became one of us to tell us what love is, how to love, and that we can love as He teaches us." (Advent/Christmas 1999. Caritas)

Silence for reflection.

Petitions.

- That Christmas may come to all peoples and that they may open themselves to God's love...

- That, through the birth of Jesus Christ, peace may grow on earth...

- That we Christians may celebrate and live Christmas by proclaiming God's love for all...

Our Father.

Prayer.

Father, may the fruits of Christmas reach all your children and encourage them to be witnesses of your Incarnation in word and deed. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.