Mercy Gives Life

December 25: The Nativity of the Lord

Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

The Christmas story is a story of mercy. The Vigil Mass shows that repeated acts of mercy brought about the birth of Jesus-primarily, of course, God’s mercy to the human race, but also Joseph’s mercy to Mary. When he thought she had sinned, he was “unwilling to expose her to shame.” Then God had mercy on Joseph for his charitableness. Most striking, God showed mercy to David, whom he called “a man after my own heart” (see Acts 13:22), even though David’s sins cried to heaven. Jesus came through David.

How many people in Jesus’ family tree would never have been born if their parents hadn’t had mercy and forgiven each other repeatedly? In the human race, continued life depends on mutual, ongoing mercy.

The Christmas Mass during the Day specifies that divine life is even more the gift of mercy. “To all those who believe in his name,” Jesus gives “power to become children of God.” They are reborn, “not by natural generation nor by a human choice” alone, but by the pure mercy of God.

“What came to be through [his mercy) was life, and this life was the light of the human race.”

The light of our lives is mercy. This light gives life. Radiate it.

Daily Practice: Walk in mercy. Be light and life for the world.

Christmas Day Prayer: Say the Our Father together with the new­born Jesus.