www.vocation.com - Luke 2: 1-20

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and Son of Man. From the Father you received your divine nature, and from Mary your human nature, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit. I love you with all my heart and I thank you, for you come into this world and were born in a stable to save me.

Petition: Lord, fill my heart with a great love for you; may it be so filled with lov and awe at your birth that I can't help but share it with others.

Gospel: Lk 2, 1-20

Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world. This census - the first - took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. So Joseph set out to the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.

In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night. An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, "Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. "And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favors."

Now it happened that when the angel had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made known to us." So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.

1. "Now it Happened that, While They Were There, the Time Came for Her to Have Her Child, and She Gave Birth to a Son, Her First-born."

Christ chooses to come down from heaven, "born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law, so that we could receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4).

Christ hides his divinity in the manger, seeming almost too human. God the Son, made man for us, is born without fanfare, without pomp and circumstance, in a small stable perhaps amidst the animals.

Yet this moment is not a moment limited to a Nativity scene or a crèche. "The whole of human history in fact stands in reference to him: our own time and the future of the world are illumined by his presence. He is 'the Living One' (Revelation 1:18), 'who is, who was and who is to come' (Revelation 1:4). Before him every knee must bend in the heavens, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim that he is Lord (see Philippians 2:10-11).

In the encounter with Christ, every man discovers the mystery of his own life" (Pope John Paul II, Incarnationis Mysterium, 1).

Take a few moments to reflect on the mystery of your own life where it came from, what is its purpose, what light does Christs birth shed on my own life.

2. "When They Saw the Child They Repeated What They Had Been Told About Him, and Everyone Who Heard it Was Atonished at Wat the Shepherds Said to Them."

An angel sent the shepherds to the cave. In the fields they had seen many angels filling the heavens and singing Glory to God, and they had been bathed in light, but when they got to the cave there were no visions of angels just Mary, the child and Joseph. Yet their faith did not falter, there was no disappointment, as a matter of fact their enthusiasm increased. When they left there they couldnt help telling everyone about what they had heard and seen. Truly faith is a gift, and a gift to be shared.

In our lives there are times of angels, and more frequently ordinary times when without the fanfare of angels we make our hidden acts of faith and believe nonetheless in what God has told us.

Christ in the manger reveals his love; he reveals that he is love. "God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16).

The shepherds leave the manger having experienced the love of God. They have been touched by the love of God - a love that is not to be kept to oneself, but shared with all. The Incarnation gives us life: it is the base upon which we live. Christ comes into the world to save us, so that after coming to the manger, we may share what we have received with others.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I see you in the manger, a helpless child, yet your are my Savior. You have come to redeem me, to bring me life. Help me to understand that I cannot live without you, you who are Love.

Questionnaire: This optional quesitonnaire is intended to help you evaluate your life in light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.

1. What does the birth of my Lord mean to me other than a holiday or a celebration? When I contemplate God made man, what does it inspire me to do?

2. How do I thank my Lord for having come down from heaven?

3. How do I share this experience at the manger - the great mystery of the Incarnation and this very news of great joy for everyone? How can I share it in the circumstances of my daily life?