God Made Flesh

The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jn.1:14

John gives witness to what he heard, saw and touched... God made flesh.

The Christmas Octave is drawing to a close, proclaiming what it declared from its beginning. God has visited his people. This outrageous claim is at the heart of Christianity. Deny this and you aren't Christian.

When I reaffirm my faith in Jesus as the Son of God, I reestablish my foundation for life. This affects every area of my life, both here on earth and in the life to come. I am given grace and truth, and life makes sense.

Jesus, you are my foundation for today and hope for the future. Walk beside me Lord.
Saint John the Apostle, please pray for me.

 

Man up and be a Joseph

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
Ps.127:3,4

The first blessing that comes to a man who fears the Lord is family.

Today being the Feast of the Holy Family, focus is given to Mary, Jesus and Joseph. Mary and Jesus, Jesus and Mary. At this stage of the Holy Family it seems like they are one person. Joseph's role is to cherish, protect and provide for this most holy of people. In so doing he role models what it means to be a man.  

Lord, you have given me my wife, my children, my grandchildren. Help me be Joseph to them and cherish, protect and provide.
Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

Walk in the Light

Yet in another way, what I am writing to you, and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his, is a new commandment; because the night is over and the real light is already shining.
1Jn.2:8

John writes that hatred is in darkness but love brings in the light. Now that God has visited his people in Christ, the light is permanently on.

Light or dark. The choice is that stark. The night is over, the light is shining. Today I choose to walk in the light.

Jesus, you are the light of my life. Shine in me and through me today.

Saint Thomas Becket, please pray for me.

We Win!

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
Mt.2:18

In his jealousy and rage Herod has all male boys in and around Bethlehem under two years of age slaughtered. Jesus' birth brought great joy and great sorrow.

It seems when great good rises up, great evil rises to oppose it. Such is our human condition and the spiritual battle that swirls about us. It pays to keep one eye firmly on the end goal. Jesus' victory. That is the only thing that makes sense of the pain and suffering in the world. Jesus wins in the end and we who follow him share in that victory. Alleluia!

Jesus, I keep my eyes fixed on you both in good times and in bad.
Holy Innocents, please pray for us.

See and Believe

Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
Jn.20:8

John the Apostle reaches the tomb of Jesus but defers to Peter, letting him enter first. John then enters and seeing the empty tomb has his epiphany. He believes. 

Christmas is so great a day that the Church allocates eight days to celebrate. Yet, while transported in joy by the babe in the manger, the shadow of the cross falls over the scene. But this is a new and greater source of joy. The complete plan of God visiting his people is only realised at the empty tomb. Like Saint John, I see and believe. 

Jesus, I look at you as a babe lying in the manger, the shadow of the cross falling over you. Thank you lord for your great love for me. I adore you.
Saint John, please pray for me.

 

The Baby Changes Everything

The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jn.1:14

The morning sun has crested. The glorious light, previously just a hint in the night sky, has burst over us. The unfathomable power of God, the Word, has become flesh. God has visited his people.

Up until Christ's birth, God was only revealed through signs and his word. Now he became flesh, one of us, truly with us. Being with us he could fully love us and fully save us. The baby changes everything. Oh happy day!

This joy is mine, a joy nothing can take away. It is a joy not only meant for Christmas Day but for every day of the year. It is the gift that keeps on giving. 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

God Has Visited His People

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue and he has raised up for us a power for salvation.
Lk.1:68

John’s father Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit after nine months of muteness, his first words praising God for visiting his people. God's plan of salvation is about to commence with the birth of a baby in a stable in Bethlehem.

There is the reason for our joy. God has visited his people. If we believe that, Christmas makes sense and we are transported into joy. If we don't believe that... well, all you are left with is "happy holidays". Holidays come and go. Truth is eternal. 

The sun is about to rise on that great and glorious day. Merry Christmas!

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come,

Radiant Dawn,

splendour of eternal light, sun of justice:

shine on those lost in the darkness of death!

Alleluia!