In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. – Luke 1:78-79
Reflection
Christmas is almost here! It is Christmas Eve and the final preparations for Christmas are coming to an end. Tonight many families will attend Mass and join together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the season of Advent, the Church has repeatedly referred to the “darkness” of the world. At the same time, Jesus is referred to as the “light of the world,” who has come to bring those in “darkness” to the light of life.
Too often we don’t let that symbolism sink into our own spiritual lives. We may think to ourselves that the people who lived before Christ were in darkness, not me. It is not “I” who lives in darkness, but “them.” Unfortunately this type of thinking deprives us of the light that God wants to give to us. All of us have “dark” areas of our lives, sins that we don’t like to talk about. It is precisely those areas that God wants to illumine with the light of his mercy.
Open the windows of your heart on this final day of Advent. Let the light of God’s mercy shine through it and surrender those areas of your life that keep you in the dark.
The dawn of Christ’s birth is about to arrive. Will we be ready to allow that light to bring peace to our weary soul?
Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer
Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus,
and do not delay,
that those who trust in your compassion
may find solace and relief in your coming.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
And today we celebrate...