In the northern hemisphere, during the last week of December and the first week of January, when days begin to lengthen, Christians celebrate Christmas.

Saint Augustine said that: “God became human so that humans might become more like God.” What an amazing thing to say. At Christmas, the church sings of a “marvelous exchange.” We share in Christ because Christ shares in us.

Sometimes we hear people say that Christmas is “Jesus’ birthday.” But birthday usually refers to a past event. In the liturgy, we sing and pray, “Christ is born today.” We really do mean what we say: Today!

Christmas is about celebrating something that is happening now. Through the grace given to us in the waters of Baptism, Christ is
taking on our flesh, working through us and in us. Christ is being born within us and using our voices, eyes, ears, hands, voices, and hearts. What happened in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago continues to happen through us. As we enter the final days of Advent, we’re invited to open our eyes to what God is doing within us and around us.

Lest we become too distracted by all the rush and the lists of things we’ve convinced ourselves that need to be done: Be mindful of the light within - the divine light coming to birth in the lives of men and women striving to enflesh the love of Christ. May our hearts become a manger where Christ is born anew.

- Father Steven