“And theWord Became Flesh”

It is very exciting when a new baby is born. The parents and the whole family wonder what the baby will look like. The Messiah was the same way. People knew he was coming. They did not know what he was going to look like. He was to be a King. Kings wore fancy clothing and crowns to set themselves apart from every day people. They had power to set armies in action. They had the power to set people free. They could build walls for boundaries. They could tear walls down. They could be good or mean to their people. They could do what past kings had always done, or they could choose to do use new ideas to help their people.

The Son of God came into the world just like you did. He came as a newborn baby. Babies do not judge. Babies giggle. Babies laugh. Babies cry. Babies need someone to take care of them. Mary and Joseph took care of Jesus until he was ready and able to take care of himself. God chose for Jesus Christ to be a king who did new things. Jesus was a king who did not rule as others had ruled.

When you were baptized, God gave you parents and godparents to help keep you on his path to heaven. If you have ever ridden on bumper cars, you know how hard it is not to bump into another car. This is like bumping into evil that spells trouble for you. Today you can celebrate Jesus’ birthday as a new day to begin living your life as God wishes. When you choose to obey his commandments you have a good grip on the steering wheel of your bumper car. When you love God above all things, and love your neighbor as yourself, you can get your car to fly over the other cars and head right to heaven.

Today if you get a gift you cannot use, remember that you can share it with the needy. Before you open your gift on Christmas, say a prayer for the person who gave it to you. Ask God to bless them with the money, food, clothing, and shelter they need on earth. Also, thank God for sending his only son to provide them with the forgiveness they need to get into heaven.

Say the “Our Father” and fill your heart with good news about the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”