The Incarnation
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary.
Reading (Matthew 1: 18-21)
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph. But before they lived together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was an upright man, and he did not want to expose her to public disgrace, so he decided to divorce her quietly. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Song (Luke 1: 68-79)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
He has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
Born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
That he would save us from our enemies,
From the hands of all who hate us.
In the tender compassion of our God
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Reflection
Nothing that God has done can compare with the wonder of the Incarnation. In the long history of salvation God again and again offered a covenant of love to man. But because of the waywardness of the human heart, God's grace could not take hold in the world. Finally, to show once and for all the depth of his love, he sent his beloved Son to dwell among us and lead us to salvation. It was a grace unhoped for, and a mystery beyond our understanding. We can only give thanks that God would overlook our unworthiness and come into our troubled world in the form of a beautiful child, the Savior of the world.
Prayer
God our Father, we bow in wonder before the child conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, the Savior of the world. We thank you for the love so great that you sent your only Son as the sign of your covenant and the way to eternal life. May we remain faithful to the new life he has won for us, and may our faith bring light to all the world, that all may be one with you in heaven.
See a photo essay on the wonder of Christmas