A reflection on the Christmas readings, for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), by Father Perry.
“Even the holy men who lived before the coming of Christ understood that God had in mind plans of peace for the human race.” — St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
Although the readings are very different, there is something they all have in common.
Clearly, God entered into our world and our lives — and things, as they say, would never be the same.
Promises and expectations of peace and healing and forgiveness and hope and grace in great measure came into our world.
What happened in that manger was a bursting into our world and into our consciousness of the presence of God into our humanity; to be sure it is beyond anything we could fully understand.
Mystery in the truest sense of the word.
It is no surprise then that we have four sets of readings — as if one would do.
We look at this “God-promised moment in time” as the greatest mystery, full of grace, that broke death and sin, bringing life and grace.
Emmanuel! God with us!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
