The Greatest Gift: Love Incarnate

12/25/2017

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

John 1:1-18

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Praise God! Today is Christmas! The day in which we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. When I was a little boy I would wake up around 5 am to open presents. I would jump out of bed and run to my parents bedroom to wake them up telling them that we had to go downstairs and open presents. They would then roll over and say, "20 more minutes." At which point I would run to the clock and stare at it until 20 minutes had passed. Then we would all line up on the steps of the stairs until our parents dismissed us to go and see if presents were under the tree. The second we would see all the presents we would freak out and excitedly starting sorting them out to give each gift to the child that it was addressed to. We would then open up gifts with joy excited and hugging the things we had received!

Now the question for you is what have you received on this day of the birth of Jesus Christ? What present from God would satisfy your heart?.... Take a moment and truly ask this question: If the God of the Universe was face to face with you asking what you desired, what would you say?

Well, you are in luck because on this day of Christmas the God of the Universe has descended from His throne and become incarnate on the altar at Mass. If you already attended Mass or are going to after you read this reflection, then thank God that He decided that He literally couldn't live without you and so He did indeed descend from heaven and became a child. He did this not to scare you, not to condemn you, not to harm you; rather He descended to Earth to become weak, sharing your suffering, and redeem every pain of your heart.

If the God of the Universe can leave His throne and turn bread and wine Into His very self what can't He do? So yes, this Christmas He does satisfy every single desire you have, because at the root of your desire you simply want to be loved. That is the gift God gives us this Christmas and every Christmas, extending to every day of our lives: inexhaustible love.

This day you consume Love Incarnate! And now the Lord asks you... Could there be any greater gift?

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

What is it that you need from the Lord today?

How can you receive this great gift of love this Christmas?

Are you as excited to receive "Love Incarnate" as you are to open the gift under your tree? Why or why not?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Joy to the World."

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

"Thank You, Jesus."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Enjoy your gifts from family and friends today. It is a great way to give and receive love. Enjoy all of that, but remember there is a greater gift, Love Incarnate. All the other gifts are good and nice, but nothing else can ever compare to receiving the Lord who loved you enough to become Man and meets us every day in the Eucharist. There is no greater gift than that, so go and enjoy that gift most of all.

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The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Kyle Manno, priest of the Diocese of Rockford. If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM