The Nativity of the Lord - Fr. Leo

“In Silence, God ceases to be an object and becomes an experience." — Thomas Merton

One of the great hymns of Christmas, is Silent Night. Singing the docile melody brings inner peace as we sing, “Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!”

The hushed tones bring us into the silence of the night and even today, it is out of the silence of our inner selves in union with God that we experience the indescribable love of God.  As Thomas Merton, quoted above: In Silence, God ceases to be an object andbecomes an experience.

May all of us find inner peace tonight as we experience God coming to us in his infinite transforming love.  Yes, to all of us!  The Lord excludes no one. He humbles himself to be born in a cave and laid in a manger.  He comes first to the outcast.  Christ came for us to be transformed, not to condemn us!  Let God’s mercy and love move you so that you can abandon yourself to God.  There is nothing the Lord will not embrace in you as he wraps his Christmas love around you as Mary wrapped the Child in swaddling clothes and held him in her arms.

Christ came for each of us that we may share in his divinity.  The divinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Jesus is the Father loving us in the Holy Spirit. This gift is that, a gift.  One given to all who will humble themselves before God and choose his love over all others.  

As we celebrate this Silent Night, may each of us come to experience the transforming presence of God who comes to us in Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit.  I pray your Christmas may be blessed in the silence of the one who holds us in the palm of his hand.

Merry Christmas to you all!

In peace and love,

Fr. Leo