Christmas Eve
Scripture:
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Luke 1:67-79
Reflection:
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us.
Today’s liturgy reminds us of deep feeling of love that God has for us. He expresses this by breathing his Incarnate Word into our world. The expression tender compassion is a translation of the original Greek New Testament word splagchnon. This is one of the strongest words in the Bible for the bottomless affection that God has for us.
This monumental love of God for us in the birth of Christ should quiet all our fears and anxieties. The prophet Zephiniah 3:16 tell us "God will quiet you with his love". His love in the infant Jesus should silence all our anxiety. When we gaze at the crib He in effect tells us to shut up, and rest in His love. Praise to His compassion we are thousands of times more important to Him than He is to us. "Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord: for He is risen from His holy habitation." Zck 2:13
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.