31 December 2022

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas (Saint Sylvester I, Pope)

Today in the Gospel we come back to where we started this Octave: the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word. This Word is the only-begotten Son of the Father who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Literally, the Word has pitched his tent among us; he is here not as a sojourner only present for a time, but is here to stay with us forever, and for this reason he has made himself part of a human family. 

John proclaims that the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, is the light who enlightens us in this season, the light which shines in the darkness which the darkness cannot possibly overcome. The light of the Christ child offers us peace and joy as he shows us the way of littleness and trust in the Father’s care for us. His light is more brilliant than the sun, and yet at the same time it is soft as the glow on an infant’s face.

Let us contemplate the light of this child’s presence, this one who is the dawn from on high and the true morning star who never sets. Let us ask the Father that the light of his Son will shine in our hearts, casting out darkness and enabling us to bear witness and lead others to his light.