The Wonders of His Love

Carols ring out in our churches this day, a day of joy to and for the world. The King of Kings, who is our peace, comes in the splendor of a host of angels singing Glory to God in the Highest, and on eath peace to people of good will, and in the simplicity and poverty of a homeless child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Poor shepherds are the first to respond and give him homage; Wisemen follow in due time. It is paradoxical that the Son of God, who existed from all time and before, the creator of the universe, the Savior of the human race, should come among us as one of us, in the total dependence of a newborn baby. He rests in a manger, the trough where animals feed, for he feeds us with his body and blood. The child is there for everyone; the child shows us that the weakness of God is more powerful than any force we humans can muster; the child incarnates God's all-inclusive love. We sing in the carol, Joy to the World, "And wonders of his love," and repeat this line again. It is as if we can't comprehend these wonders, cannot fathom them, for they are beyond us. "Oh the depths or the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God..who has known the mind of God? (Rm 11:33). The child in the manger is only a glimpse of God, but with him begins our journey and goal to know and love God as fully as we can and help others to do the same. The Church takes a week, called the Octave of Christmas, to digest and reflect on this event, on this challenge, on this calling. May we, like the shepherds, make haste to come to the child and then with equal haste be on our mission to spread the wonders of his love to all, beginning today.
Merry Christmas,
Bro. Rene