Filed under: Christmas
Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard van Honthorst
WHAT DO I SEE IN THE CHRISTMAS MANGER?
When I kneel down and gaze upon Bethlehem’s Manger what do I see?
I see the Word of God – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jn 1:1 The Word is a Presence; a Revelatory Presence. We all listen, He speaks to me.
I see Life – “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jn 1:4 Life as ‘Source’; the Divine Life in union with human life – a New Creation offering Eternal Life.
I see Light – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.” Jn 1:5,9 A light ‘that enlightens’. And what speaks to the conscience and heart of a person more, and enlightens more, than the innocent mystery of a baby?
I see Power – “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God…” Jn 1:12 John Paul II said that from the moment of the Incarnation, Creation “is permeated by the powers of the Redemption, powers which fill humanity and all creation” (DV #52).
I see humble Flesh – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” Jn 1:14 When we recall this mystery in the recitation of the Creed, we bow or kneel: “…and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” One with us.
I see the fullness of God – “…full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” Jn 1:14 In this newborn baby we see the salvation of the world; a truth revealed and accomplished through grace, for our good, and to the glory of God!
I see Grace – “And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.” Jn 1:16 Grace like gentle life-giving rain, Grace like a river of living water, grace upon grace like an overflowing fountain; blessing human hearts with faith, hope and love.
All of this in the humble newborn baby lying here in His Manger; the fullness of the Incarnation – Divine redemptive powers issuing forth from His face, from His heart, from His tiny clenched fists as they open to the world!
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