Gospel of the Day
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John (1:1–18)
In the beginning was the Word,
the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came into being,
not one thing came into being except through him.
What came into being in him was life,
life that was the light of men;
and light shines in the darkness,
and darkness could not overpower it.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word became flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
“This is the one of whom I said:
He who comes after me ranks before me
because he existed before me.”
Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received—
grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses,
grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.
The light of life.
Today the Word of God—God Himself—becomes Man and is born in a humble stable. He is life, He is the light of the world, and He wishes to give that life and that light to each one of us. And if I receive Him—if we receive Him—He gives us the great power of becoming children of God.
He wants to be born in my heart, to divinise me, to make me another Christ! And if I allow Him, I shall see His glory. The whole of God wishes to come to me, and He asks my permission to enter my heart.
And I, Lord, say yes. Come to me—but first cleanse my heart; work in me according to Your will. I want to be that poor stable which You illuminated!
Applied to Married Life
Charles: I absolutely love Christmas!
Susan: I do now as well. Before, it overwhelmed me—an endless list of tasks, huge expenses, and family gatherings that were not always pleasant.
Charles: That’s true—but how God has changed our hearts! Isn’t it wonderful?
Susan: It really is. Now we truly live the mystery of God’s birth. He comes into our hearts to give us eternal life. And it shows—in us, in our marriage, and in our family. Everything is different. Even the children are happier.
Charles: I’m so full of joy—and I love you so much! I even love singing carols now.
Susan: Of course! Everything is for His glory, even if we sing out of tune! [laughs]
Charles: Oh, you silly thing—we do it beautifully because we sing with our hearts! [laughs]
Mother,
Thank You, Mother, for giving us Jesus.
We want to receive Him as you did:
with purity, humility, and devotion.
Give us a heart like yours.
Blessed and praised be Jesus!