Reflection on the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve 2011 ~ by Phyllis Booth

The Nativity of the Lord (Midnight)

Is 9:1-6
Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

The long awaited coming of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem changed the world. The long period of darkness was lifted. The Light had come to fulfill the prophets' message. The people of Israel longing for a Savior were over! Jesus had come as God promised to reconcile the world. He came to change a history of separation between God and the people God loved. God wanted to release us from the prison of sin, fear, guilt, hatefulness, and the constant fighting and killing of each other.

Jesus' birth brought a new culture to the world. This Savior would bring the Word of God to all people. The Words from God would be words of love. These words of God would be seen through actions. Jesus taught the disciples to love one another. The disciples showed love as they experienced the new way of treating their neighbor. The early Christians believed it was their duty to live a life of love of self and neighbor.

God's love can be seen in the way we act, think, pray, show emotions, how we help one another, feed the poor and clothe the naked, and work for justice. Millions of people are working for justice today under difficult circumstances because they believe God loves us and he'll keep the covenant made years ago.


~ Image: Kissing the face of God by Morgan Weistling