Discovery and delight

Reflection

Sharing the excitement is a very human response. We have all done it at some stage: some great news in the family, perhaps at a promotion or the discovery of a place of spectacular beauty or some situation has turned around. The desire to let others know tells us that sharing such experiences is itself part of the original delight. Something similar may be said of the sense of discovery and delight we find in the Good News of Jesus. Like, the prophets of old (Jeremiah 6:19) or like St Paul (1 Cor 9:16), we just can’t keep it in! We want, we need to let others know to complete our delight and our sense of discovery.

(Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97 (96); Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20)

Meditation (Luke 2:15-20)

This was no ordinary child. It is the birth of the Son of God. In order to take in the implications of that we can do well to recall Meister Eckhart’s reflection and ask ourselves how the birth of Jesus takes place in us: What good is it to me if the eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself ? And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace and if I am not also full of grace?

The shepherds were both frightened and thrilled. Good news can sometimes be terrifying. Pregnancy and the birth of a child can give rise to both feelings. Hopefully the joy and wonder at new life outweigh the fear and apprehension. What has been your experience?