Reflection
The birth of you, O God, is a birth in darkness, a birth in uncertainty, a birth in love. And you are perfectly at home with the chaos of the unknown, the fear of the present moment, the uncertainty of darkness.
Then—as now—You are here and You are love, and all we are asked to do is to say “yes” to this present moment of life. “Yes” to your hidden and inscrutable ways; “Yes” to your at-homeness with incompleteness; “Yes” to your power of love, which is a big love-squeeze, even in the many failures and disappointments of our lives. For when we can say, “yes,” we surrender to your infinite love, a love which sustains the beats of our hearts, the breadths of our fearful moments, the joy of sharing life with family and friends. When we can say “yes,” we lean into your ever-expansive heart of love. When we can say “yes,” without bartering or demands, a “yes” of trust, then whatever happens will be joyous, whatever unfolds will lead to goodness for in this “yes” of love, Jesus is born.
Ilia Delio
Prayer
Yes.
Action
Reflect on what it means for you to say “Yes” to this present moment of life.
Suggested Reading
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 14:1
God is love.
1 John 4:16
Christmas is the feast of love incarnate and born for us in Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis
Christianity’s goal is not escape from this world. It loves this world and seeks to change it for the better.
Marcus Borg
Christ is born to us today, in order that he may appear to the whole world through us.
Thomas Merton
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.
Norman Vincent Peale
The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas.
Bill Crowder
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge
And when the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing: goodwill towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without goodwill towards men.
Charles Spurgeon
The brightest Christmas ever was lit by a single star and swaddled in the most drab colors, but offered mankind the greatest gift of all…true and lasting love.
Toni Sore