And the Word became flesh
And made his dwelling among us,
And we saw his glory,
The glory of the Father’s only Son
Full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
This extraordinary passage from John’s Gospel is proclaimed every year on Christmas Day. John’s poetic image of the birth of the Christ child is very different from that of Matthew and Luke. It’s simple yet profound. It’s familiar to us all since Christian people proclaim these words as part of the Nicene Creed every Sunday.
At Christmas, most of us will spend time visiting those who are important to us: family and friends. We might have a festive dinner, exchange gifts, or sing carols. We might travel long distances to be with loved ones. Or we might celebrate with the same people we see every day.
By spending time together, we come to know one another. We learn what is important to family and friends. We discover how they spend their time, what (and who) they care about. We find out their hopes and fears.
When Jesus came to dwell among us, we learned about God through Jesus’ actions, teachings, and parables. We noticed who he spent time with. We saw his miracles and compassionate healings. We experienced his love for us and for all people.
We continue to learn about God as we spend time with Christ, listening to his Word and receiving the gift of the Eucharist. We learn by gathering as a community of faith. We learn through acts of service, justice, and mercy.
The friars of the Southern Dominican Province wish all of you and your loved ones a very happy and holy Christmas! I pray that you will know the Lord dwelling among us on Christmas Day and every day of the year.