Here For You

"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." - Isaiah 40:5

First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters:

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways  to our ancestors through the prophets;  in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,  whom he made heir of all things  and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

Gospel:  John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation  nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision  but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said,  ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me  because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses,  grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

During the first week of Advent, our family started to spruce up our new home for Christmas.  The tree stood majestically in one corner, complete with lights, balls, and other ornaments. A garland with bells and poinsettias hangs at the entrance of the living and dining room. Christmas cards given by family and friends are displayed in one corner of the house. It's looking festive! Suddenly, we asked ourselves, "Where should we put the Belen (Nativity Scene)?".

Unlike in our old home, our new living room didn't have much space. One idea was to place the Belen on the window sill, but at night it will be covered by the drapes. Placing it next to the TV won't help either. We decided to place it on one side of our dining table, on the side next to the wall. 

And so, as we have our meal or do Chiara's homework or do some paperwork, every time the family would gather around the table our attention is caught by the Nativity scene, especially that baby lying on the manger. As we gaze at that lovely infant with hands outstretched He seems to tell us "I'm here for you and with you, all time".

Prayer

Happy birthday, Lord Jesus! Thank You for living among us. O Word-made-Flesh, as we celebrate Your birth, as we enjoy the food on our table and the company of loved ones, may we remember that Your abiding presence in our lives. Inspired by this, may we remember the plight of those around us especially the weak, the oppressed, the least of

Your people. Through our solidarity with them, may they also see Your glory "as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth" (cf. John 1:14). Amen.