Be His Light!

“ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace.”

First Reading: IS 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: PS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

Second Reading : HEB 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: JN 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 Pam Manzano

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” – JN 1:4

More than all the presents that we receive or give this holiday season, let us not forget that we received the most precious gift ever when the Child was born in a manger. It is He who became the sacrifice for all our sins. It is by His blood we are saved. It is by His love we are healed. It is by His grace that we lived. 

This Christmas, let us aim to be the light of the world just as Christ was called to be when He was born. Together, let us spread love, compassion, and peace. Let us choose to be carriers of the deeds of Christ. I know this is easily said than done especially when there are circumstances where our patience and faith are put to test – but Christ came to be the light and, as followers, we are called to do the same.

Choosing to love the unlovable requires a deal of effort and even so, God still chose to love us. He sent His Son to save mankind. Imagine how pure that love must be! So, even when it hurts, choose to love. Choose to give. Choose to be the light.


A very happy Christmas to one and all! Let us hold Christ’s light deep in our hearts that other people who come near to us be imparted with the light only as pure as God’s love can give. 

Prayer

Loving Father, we praise and thank You for the gift of Your precious Son. Guide us to be bearers of His light, to be witnesses of His mercy so that we may all discover the beauty of life that You have willed to share with us. In Jesus' Might Name. Amen.