First reading – 1 John 1:1-4

‘That which we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you’

Beloved: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Reflection

‘Each one of us should ask him or herself: “Do I truly love the Lord to the point of wanting to announce Him? Do I want to become his witness or am I content to be his disciple? Do I take to heart the people I meet, bringing them to Jesus in prayer? Do I want to do something so that the joy of the Gospel, which has transformed my life, might make their lives more beautiful?”.’– Pope Francis

Prayer

God-With-Us, at Christmastide we remember that you became one of us, to show us that we are all one with you. Help me not only to see you in others, but also to see myself in them: so that all the false distinctions which divide us melt away, leaving only the joyful truth of our universal fraternity. Amen.

The Gifts of Christmas

The best gifts can’t be wrapped! Adapted from an original Ten Gifts of Christmas by Sister Margaret Schweiss, we suggest offering one of these special gifts to someone in your life who would benefit from them, each day of the Christmas Octave.

The gift of a favour

Do favours for the people in your life today.  Help with the dishes, tidy up, shovel the driveway, run to the shops. This gift is made more valuable when it anticipates a request, rather than when it responds to one.

Image: Swanson, John August. Celebration, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.