Before the Christ child

Before the Christ child

I proclaim to you good news of great joy. (Luke 2: 10)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Saviour was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favours!” (Luke 2: 1-14)

What have men always sought? Happiness. With the Incarnation and the birth of the Son of God, our Lord visibly gets involved in our search for happiness, not only showing us the way with His commandments, but by giving us the necessary Grace to following them through the Sacraments. Hence, Jesus rightly divides time into before and after Him. Let us stand before the Christ child and ask Him to reveal to us both the vices that afflict us and the eternal glory we all aspires to.