The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that he has from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Dear brothers and sisters,
This Christmas, we would like to greet all of you and pray for you in a very special way that the Lord Jesus, who loves you and who has called you may visit you. Our prayer is that all of us may be blessed to recognize the Lord's visitation.
Jesus is the Word that dwells within us. He speaks to our hearts with His gentle voice, which as the Scripture says, "what no ear has heard" (1 Corinthians 2:9) but the ear of the spirit can hear very distinctly and clearly, "he heard words said" that cannot and may not be spoken by any human being" (2 Corinthians 12:4). His knock is the gentle inspiration to good deeds "behold I stand at the door knocking" (Revelations 3:20) and his angels are the good thoughts which flash in our minds, illuminating them with the Divine Brightness of the Lord "the glory of the Lord shone round them" (Luke 2:9) May no good inspiration or good thought be turned away, thus we lose the visitation of Christ!
May we recognize Joseph and the Virgin betrothed with child, both appearing in humble guise. Who are Joseph and Mary, but modest bearers of the Word? Have they ever knocked at the door of our inn? Yes they have, says the Lord, for "this message reaches the whole world" (Psalm 19:4) there is no heart at which the Word and his bearers have not knocked, requesting an entry. Lord, forgive us for the times we have turned your Word away, not welcoming It, not recognizing It! "Anyone who listens to you listens to me" (Luke 10:16); How blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it! "More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) How great their joy!
Lord, we pray, may Your Word again visit our hearts this Christmas! Like to the poor shepherds, send forth your angels to us, those spirits of goodness, so that welcoming them, paying heed to their message and obedient to their good inspirations, may we be led to Joseph and Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ the Word! "So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger." (Luke 2:18)
May this discovery of the Word, the Eternal Truth that sets all human beings free, fill us with joy that knows no ending!
Wishing you and your families a very blessed and joyful Christmas!
The Community of Grace.