Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
H. Carlos Morado, L.C.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Christ, our King, Thy Kingdom come!
Preparatory prayer (to put me in the presence of God)
Here I am, Lord. My heart is prostrate, seeking your face, and today, your infant face. Shepherding your flock, in the everyday of my life, exhausted from the work you have entrusted to me, and filled with weariness, in the darkness that blinds me in the gloom of night, help me to lift my gaze and discover in silence that I am to be your dwelling place. Send me that star of light, to guide my way, and lead me to Jesus.
Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)
From the Holy Gospel according to John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but a witness to the light.
The one who is the Word was the true light, which enlightens every man who comes into the world. He was in the world; the world had been made by him, and yet the world did not know him.
To his own he came, and his own did not receive him; but to all who did receive him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were not born of blood, nor of the desire of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but were born of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John the Baptist testified about him, crying out: “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he existed before me.”".
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses, while grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
Word of the Lord.
Meditate on what God tells you in the Gospel
Have you ever wondered how you arrived here? Here and now, in this place and not another... coincidences? Or rather, gifts of love? Gifts of a misunderstood love. Gifts of an unappreciated love. Gifts of an unloved love. That same love that has given you so much, that same love in which light dwells, wanted to be with you today, and wanting to feel the embrace of your arms, it entered the darkness, they put diapers on it, and we called it Jesus.
Now look at him there... what do you see? Let him enter your heart, because if you look for him outside, he may remain hidden from your eyes. Look within, perhaps he is obscured by all those worries and fears... don't worry, approach the manger of your heart and look at him... don't be afraid. Remember that when darkness reigns and we can't see clearly, the smallest ray of light is enough to illuminate everything. And if you see Jesus... there is your Light.
He who is the Word is the true light
Do you remember the beginning of the gospel? «In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.».
Well... I think you see it now. Light shines in the darkness of our lives, the Word is the true light, God is the Word (Jesus), Jesus became man, and today, He is a baby. Do you see it? The Word «with a capital letter» today cannot speak; He babbles and laughs; cries and sleeps, but never stops communicating. God's language is not sound. The Word of God communicates in many ways, but the most effective is Love. Love that seems invisible until it becomes charity. The Love par excellence today, Jesus, you carry within you. Love, God, today as the Word speaks to you with His luminous gaze, with His toothless smile, with His total trust. Today, Jesus needs you more than ever; He cannot walk; He doesn't know how to «be human»... He needs you, He needs your hands, He needs your voice, but most of all, He needs your love. Don't be afraid. Love always wins.
The gift
Hey, before you start taking care of the Child Jesus for the rest of your life, I have one last question. Are you bringing a gift? No? … Don't be like that, think that Jesus didn't have a baby shower, don't be like that…
Well, don't worry. If your hands seem empty and perhaps your heart still appears poor in love, this day is for you, because God's logic works differently than ours, and it is He who brings us gifts. I'll mention just a few of them so you can take advantage and meditate on them today.
He made you, if you wish and accept it, a child of God through baptism. Imagine! Not even angels have such great honor.
2. In Jesus, we are children of God, but also of Mary. He gives us a loving Mother.
3. He gives us many brothers and sisters, for now we are all sons and daughters of the same Father.
And all the other gifts are up to you to discover...
«He tells us today: “I love you and will always love you, you are precious in my eyes.” God doesn't love you because you think correctly and behave well; He loves you, period. His love is unconditional, it doesn't depend on you. (...) Even in our sins, He continues to love us. (...) Before we go in search of God, let us allow Him to search for us, because He searches for us first. Let us not rely on our own abilities, but on His grace, because He is Jesus, the Savior.»
(Homily for the Christmas Eve Mass, by H.H. Francis, 2019).
Dialogue with Christ
This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare yourself to talk with much love with the One who loves you.
Purpose
Propose a personal one. The one that involves the most love in response to the Beloved... or, if you believe that this is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.
To see the Child Jesus in those around me and to help and care for Him in them, making my love for Him visible through charity.
Farewell
We thank You, Lord, for all Your benefits, You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Christ, our King!
Thy Kingdom come!
Most prudent Virgin, Mary, Mother of the Church.
Pray for us.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
