Meditation: Hebrews 1:1-6

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) (Solemnity)

He has spoken to us through the Son. (Hebrews 1:2)

It never fails. Seeing a newborn baby always melts our hearts. We smile without even realizing it. We think back to when we were little. Or we reminisce about when our own children were born. We reach out to hold the child’s hand or stroke his cheek. We’d love to hold her, to cradle her, and to keep gazing at her—anything to extend the tenderness we are feeling. This new life before us is so frail and vulnerable, so peaceful and beautiful, that we can’t help but be filled with love.

What does this have to do with Christmas? Well, today’s second reading tells us that God “has spoken to us through the Son” (Hebrews 1:2). And today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus is the eternal “Word” who came to be with us (John 1:14). But the Son who speaks his word to us today is the infant from Bethlehem, not the adult rabbi we are accustomed to listening for. He doesn’t speak in sermons or parables that we have to think about; he speaks wordlessly, directly to our hearts, as any other baby does. His innocence, his vulnerability, and his love etch the message of God’s grace on our hearts in ways that we’ll never be able to put into words. He reaches out to us and moves us to respond to him, not just with words, but with our hearts.

Today is a day of joyful celebrations at Mass and family gatherings at home. It’s a day to exchange gifts and wish each other peace and happiness. But it’s also a day to gaze at the child in the manger. It’s a day for wordless, joyful contemplation.

So fix your eyes on Jesus and see what comes to your heart. Savor his pure, unconditional love, and let it bring forth love in you. Reach out and touch him, and let him touch you. Embrace him today, and let him hold you close to his heart.

“Here I am, Jesus. Speak, and I will listen.”

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1-6
John 1:1-18