Christmas Day - The time came for the baby to be born

Reading

Psalm 97, Isaiah 62:1-11, Luke 2:1-20 and Titus 2:11-14

 
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Reflection

Christmas is the feast that invites us to come to the manger, just as we are. We find there our Living God, a new-born infant in swaddling clothes who calls out for love and care, as only an infant can. For Christ is dependent on humans, on us, to care for him. We have waited and longed for this moment.

This child arrives gently and humbly. No headlines herald His arrival, only Mary’s embrace and Joseph’s protective presence give witness to His coming. Mary’s “Yes” to the Angel Gabriel ushered salvation to a world that had waited so long; Mary’s Motherhood introduced the salvation of all: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman”. As we approach this manger, may we find the grace to understand how Christ became one of us for love of us! In that grace, may we also discover that the great love of God, newly born in Jesus sleeping in the arms of Mary, inspires us to reach out in concrete acts of compassion to our world, to our neighbours and to one another. We then, so loved and so moved, can become in our time and place, Christ’s heart for the world, a revelation of God’s love here and now.

Prayer

God of Love, thank you for the gift you have given to me the gift of yourself. On this day as I celebrate your birth, may I take another step closer to you. 

With your guidance, help me to be more loving and thoughtful, less protective and defensive around others. 

May I dedicate this day to renewing my love for you as I share your love with others this day.   Amen