“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)

Leo the Great made this statement, “Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the incarnation. From the time when Christ came, the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, and the speech of kindliness diffused. A heavenly way of life has been implanted on the earth.”

Dear God we too pause this day before the manger. Teach us in these precious moments, as we remember how you came as an infant, to be vulnerable, open, tender and caring to all those around us. That as we become fully aware of what such an  incarnation really means we too will be light to a dark and sinister world. Today we rejoice! A Savior was born! Amen!

Merry Christmas!