PHOTO: NASA
Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we have heard,
and we have seen with our own eyes;
that we have watched
and touched with our hands:
the Word, who is life
this is our subject.
That life was made visible:
we saw it and we are giving our testimony,
telling you of the eternal life
which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.
What we have seen and heard
we are telling you
so that you too may be in union with us,
as we are in union
with the Father
and with his Son Jesus Christ.
We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.
1Jn 1, 1-4
These words from the first letter of John capture the enormity of the improbable reality of the Incarnation: One who was from all eternity, One who was with the Father, has been made visible to us. Those who walked the earth at the same time Jesus did, not only saw the Divinity among them, but also touched him, ate with him, heard his voice, and spoke with him.
One might think that this would be enough, that nothing else could add to the joy or wonder of that experience. The last line in John’s letter speaks otherwise: “We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.”
Seeing Love, knowing Love, living with Love is not enough. Love must be shared. Only then is the joy he brings complete. What the apostles desire is our union with them and with Jesus Christ, and through him, with the Father.
May you find many ways to share the Gift of Christmas with those you love and with the world.
© 2010 Mary van Balen
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