A gift and call

Reflection

The birth of any child is always a source of wonder, when we feel nearer the mystery of life and closer to God. In the birth of Jesus, we see our God made visible and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see. The thrilling reality of the Word made flesh is both gift and call. In the words of the first letter of John, Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11). We are challenged to love the God we cannot see in the neighbour we can see. There can be no separation of these two realities: to love God is to love your neighbour and to love your neighbour is to love God.

(Isaiah 9:1-7; Psalm 96 (95); Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)

Meditation (Luke 2:1-14)

Bring to mind a time when the birth of a child made a huge impact on you. Use the experience to meditate upon the incarnation.

There is great joy in the Gospel tonight. Have you ever felt such spontaneous, exultant happiness? A prayer of praise and thanksgiving.