
Some of you may remember my post on the Advent Season, which I described as a season of hope and expectation, a couple weeks ago.
Well, now the wait is over.
Today, we celebrate the Daybreak. The “Dawn from on High,” the eternal Beloved, the Light of lights, has come into the darkness of the world, born into poverty and cradled among animals within the earth.
The One Who rested on the seventh day has come to hallow creation with His holy Presence. He has taken the fullness of our human nature and made it His own.
Indeed, the Incarnation was the greatest event in human history. In fact, it completely and unalterably changed the course of history. God is with us (“Emmanuel”). He became a human being so that we could see him, speak with him, hear him, touch him…and, ultimately, taste him in the Eucharist.
As we approach midnight, many people will be sad. Confusing Advent with the commercialism of the secularized Christmas Season, they believe that Christmas ends on December 25.
Good news: You are mistaken! Today, the real celebration begins.
For those of you who wish to know the presence of God in your lives — or if you already know it, perhaps you want to deepen that knowledge — know that God is closer to you than your very deepest self, and that He wants more than anything to be with you and talk to you. He has a wonderful and unimaginable plan for each person’s life, if only we trust His love.
So talk to God. Make room for silence so that you can know His presence. Keep an open mind and an open heart. If you are Catholic, take some time in the near future, if possible, to visit the Blessed Sacrament.
One thing I learned after praying before Our Lord in the Sacrament is this: What most distinguishes man* from the animals is not that he builds skyscrapers, writes great poems and symphonies, soars into outer space, tames wild animals, or performs any other such marvelous feat. Rather, what most distinguishes man is that of all creatures on this earth, he is the only one who is most exalted in his knees.
Everything else, I think, flows out of that.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May all of us experience peace and joy this Christmas Season, and may we come to know beyond all doubt that “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
*Just a reminder: I am here using the term’s “man” and “he” in the generic sense. Women and men are equally included in this statement.
The top image was crafted by a Polish metal smith artist. It can be purchased here: http://www.polandbymail.com/i/5940/silver-plated-icon-the-holy-family-1-9×12.htm
Read Full Post »