A Christmas temptation

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. (John 1,1-18)

A temptation that could assail us on Christmas Day is the feeling of being threatened by Jesus. This is the reason, His followers, those who should have welcomed Him first, did not recognise Him. It is the same temptation we all face. Perhaps, for some reason we are  afraid of Jesus. In fact, we tend to think that if we allow Jesus into our lives, He will take something away from us. Yet it is not so! As Pope Benedict XVI said, Christmas is the good news that whoever allows Christ into their life loses nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. Only in His friendship do the doors of life open wide. Are you ready to let Him enter your life completely, that is even in those areas that have been kept closed until now, such as daily routine, entertainment, relationships with others? What you do at night, what do you watch on television, websites? Who do you visit frequently?