A reflection and prayer to be present for Christ.

Today is December 25th, it's a day full of joy, hope and love; a day especially filled with His love for all of us. I would love it if you could join me in this reflection and prayer. Before we start, let's say an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be?

Christ wasn't born in a lavish place nor did He many material possessions. He did not come with a roaring of trumpets for all to hear nor in a blazing chariot. He came quietly, perhaps with the single cry of a baby, and a gentle embrace of a loving couple. God had entrusted His only Son to Mary and Joseph, for them to care, love, and cherish Him.  He was born in a hidden place where only those who were seeking Him would find Him. The Star of Bethlehem was there for all to see, yet there were only few who came to honor, adore, and love Christ. 

Of those few, its important to recognize who they were: foreigners, the lowly and uneducated; those who many wouldn't have expected to be called out to. Today, as we remember Christ's birth, let's also remember that we are also being called. We are also being asked to come and see Jesus, to enter in His presence and worship Him. It doesn't matter to Him what state were in, whether we believe we are worthy enough of coming home, because Jesus is saying that we are. That He wants us to meet Him and to be changed.

In the story of the Nativity, both the shepherds and the 3 Wise Kings did not leave the same way they came. These two groups had to return to their daily lives and their own homes yet they left changed. The 3 kings walked in a completely different direction after worshipping Jesus and the shepherds went singing praises to the Lord. They were not the same as they left, they held onto Christ's light and love. While it is not easy to hold on to Christ in such an imperfect, demanding and broken world but we can ask God to help us. 

Lord, we come to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Christ, our Savior, thank you for being born in order to save all of us. 

Christ, our Lord, thank you for your boundless mercy and love that envelopes.

Christ, our King, thank you for calling us today to come and see you.

Your mercy and love truly endure forever.

Today, as we go back to our houses and to the things that we need to do,

Lord, rest in our hearts, that we may carry you wherever we go. 

Hold on to us, that we may hold you close to our hearts. 

Be the light on to our paths, and the fire in our souls,

that we may not grow weary and cold. 

Gently call out to us Christ,

reminding us to always turn back to you. 

Show us your smiles and your laughter,

that we may also smile and share in your joy and love.

That your joy and love may not only stay within us,

but that we may share it with all those around.

For even the tiniest spark can create the largest fire,

so we trust that your joy can light the darkness of the world.

That your peace may envelope the rush and business of life.

That your warmth may silence the cold.

That your love, Christ, can flood our hearts and help us to live like You.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.