The Nativity

Andrea Mantegna "Madonna with Sleeping Child"

The paradox of a God incarnated is a mystery of God as a newborn or as a little child. The newborn Child, defenceless and totally dependent on the parental care, entrusted to their love, is the world’s entire wealth. The Prologue of John is one of the Gospel readings for Christmas Day. It is so well known it really does not need repeating. But mysterious enough, and it is a way to communicate mystically with us.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light, which enlightens everyone,
was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him."

He was born in the night – in the darkness, in the silence and poverty of the cave where, as Saint Paul says, "God’s grace has been revealed". So let's hope for this Grace, let's heal all our wounds, open our hearts and minds to "the loving kindness of the heart of God who visits us like the dawn from on high"(Lk 1:78)

Traditional Italian Christmas carol, simple and gentle -
Tu Scendi dalle Stelle ("You Come Down From The Stars")

 

You come down from the stars
Oh King of Heavens,
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.

Oh my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh Blessed God
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.

For you, who are of all the world
The creator,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.

Dear chosen one, little infant,
This dire poverty,
Makes me love you more.
Since Love made you
Poor now.
Since Love made you
Poor now.

Peace be with you! 

Merry Christmas!