Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Our four-week Advent journey comes to its glorious fulfillment this holy day, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord into this world. We mark Jesus’ birth as a tiny baby two thousand years ago, but also recognize that he is continually being born in our hearts and in our world as we allow him to penetrate our innermost selves and let him lead us to act in his name. Into a humble, lowly stable the Light of the world was born. Into our humble, lowly hearts let the Light of the world shine forth. Merry Christmas.
 

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

Over the mountains, through the city gates, and into our hearts comes God’s salvation, Isaiah writes, prophesying about a day of restoration and redemption. The saving power of God, the psalmist sings, is revealed to all the ends of the earth. Hebrews refers to God’s Son as God’s very imprint. John asserts that Jesus Christ is God’s Word made flesh. We listen with joy today, for God’s salvation, God’s saving power, God’s refulgence, God’s very Word dwells among us, for us, in us.
 

Reflections

• John refers to Jesus as the Word, God from the beginning, but made flesh, born into this world in a specific place and time. We tend to think of “word” and “action” as opposites, but in God they are united as one. The start of John’s Gospel—“In the beginning . . . ” (John 1:1)—reminds us of the start of the Bible itself, when God spoke and those words actively created the world. Isaiah proclaims that God’s good news, the word of God, comforts and redeems the people. Hebrews asserts that God speaks to us through the Son, the Word made flesh. It is this flesh that this newborn babe will grow up to sacrifice for our salvation. It is this flesh that we receive today in the Eucharist. Through the words that he left us, our bread and wine become his Body and Blood. The Word became flesh. Word becomes action.
 

Question of the Week

How can I put the words I have heard and believe into action? What can I do to witness to the Word made flesh whom I receive today in the Eucharist?

-from Pastoral Patterns