Luke 2:15-21
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
In His Name, let us go!
Jesus' Nativity divided human history into before and after, before Christmas (BC) and after (AD) Anno Domini, the year of the Lord. What has Christmas brought to have this impact on our history?
It manifested the God of Love, Justice and Mercy.
It brought God's Peace that was given to humanity through the Forgiveness that Jesus realized for us.
It offered evidence that grace overcomes both the law and sin.
It combined Faith, Hope and Charity into One.
Jesus took on our humanity, offering us the possibility of His Divinity.
Equipped with these essentials and relying on His perpetual help, let us start the New Year that carries His name, 2023 AD.
The first feast in the New Year is Epiphany, which is the opening of His Kingdom to all nations, symbolized by the visit of the Magi. They came to acknowledge, worship and offer their gifts.
What gift do we have to offer to God as we have witnessed His presence among us and intend to walk with Him?
"A contrite heart you, O God, will not despise" Psalm 51:17.
Remain obedient to His Spirit so that He will create in us a pure heart and not cast us away from His presence, never taking His Holy Spirit from us (Psalm 51:10-12).
Walk in my Presence, says the Lord to His faithful. In Genesis 17:1, He said to Abraham, “I am God Almighty; walk before me. and be blameless.”
Walk with the Incarnated Son of God and live the New Year in His Name. Amen.