St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Who is this who comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun?” (Song of Songs 6 v 10)

This has to be Christ Jesus,

Born to us as Light of the World,

As bright, as welcome as dawning light.

Just as the moon radiates the sun’s bright light,

Jesus is the full reflection of our Father,

“...being the brightness of His glory.

And the express image of His person,

And upholding all things by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1 v 5)

What an expressed blessing this is!

It is why we celebrate Christmas,

Love perceived, love believed, love received.

Christ Jesus is the birth of a Saviour,

Who amazingly is our Brother.

The Lord God has done great things for us.

This is the message of Christmas.

“God is magnified when the soul grows through works of charity, justice, piety, patience and the other virtues. God is magnified in the soul that withstands a temptation. God is magnified when a soul carries out any heroic or heavenly work.” (“How Dust Magnifies God” Father Peter John

Cameron O.P. writing in “The MAGNIFICAT ADVENT COMPANION” 22.12.20)

Holy love is born to us in an adorable, remarkable way.

The Baby laid on hay in a stable’s manger

Was no less than the Son of God,

The Child of blameless Mary, God’s choice

To give voice to His Word made flesh.

Our world is redeemed by a Saviour born to us,

Our eternal life given through a childless wife.

How utterly incredulous! How astonishing!

Praise ever be to the utmost glory of God.

He rescues us from the misery of sinfulness.

Love conquers all, love conquers our fall.

Love is given us in the amazing narrative of Christmas.

The mercy of God will reach us later at the †.

The oracle and the †, Christ Jesus is born for this.

Christmas is true love and mercy come upon the world.

“Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us.” (Luke 1 v 78)

“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1 v 79)

Please pray for God’s glory to shine as “The Dayspring from on high has visited us.” (Luke 1 v 78) God made man, what a most wondrous marvel occurs, God ever with us to offer us redemption through our all loving Saviour Brother reclaiming us as His own, our faith made active by the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for the Lord Jesus to be the Light of our fallen world, our Redeemer Saviour, a holy Brother to all of us, the joy of Christmas. “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you...Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’.” (John 16 v 23, 24) For this to happen please pray for us to be attentive to the stirrings and promptings of the Holy Spirit, ever seeking to deepen our faith.

Please pray to the Word made flesh, our forever Saviour, the living hope, the vine, the Good Shepherd, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings.

Please pray to the Lord of lords, the Child born to us, the Son given, the name we call “Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.” (Isaiah 9 v 6)

Please pray in all rejoicing, for “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...” (v 7) For “Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever” (Matthew 6 v 11) the gift of our dearest Father.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (of the Holy Spirit), to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3 v 20, 21)

This is the day of Christmas. This is the day belonging to Christ Jesus and Mary, her faith richly blessing us. This is the day most joyous. Please pray in heartfelt thanksgiving. Amen.