Jesus’ Birth Reveals Depth of God’s Love

Excerpted from the Jan. 3, 2001 General Audience of Pope John Paul II

1.  The Christmas season once again brings Jesus’ mystery and his work of salvation to the attention of Christians. Before the crib, the Church adores the august mystery of the Incarnation:  the Child stirring in Mary’s arms is the Eternal Word who has entered time and taken on human nature wounded by sin, to unite it to himself and redeem it. Every human reality and every temporal event thus acquire an eternal resonance:  in the person of the Incarnate Word, creation is wondrously exalted.

St. Augustine writes:  “God became man so that man might become God“. Between heaven and earth a bridge has been built forever:  in the God-Man, humanity rediscovers the way to heaven. Mary’s Son is the universal Mediator, the supreme Pontiff. This Child’s every act is a mystery meant to reveal God’s unfathomable benevolence.

2. At the stable in Bethlehem, the infinite love God has for every human being is expressed with disarming simplicity. In the crib we contemplate God made man for us.

St. Francis of Assisi had the idea of portraying this message in a live nativity scene at Greccio on 25 December 1223. His biographer relates that he was radiant with joy because that moving scene shone with Gospel simplicity, poverty was praised and humility recommended.

3. The crib celebrates the covenant between God and man. Bethlehem, a place of joy, also becomes a school of goodness, because the mercy and love that joins God to his children are expressed there. It visibly demonstrates the brotherhood that must bind all who are brothers and sisters in faith, since they are all children of the one heavenly Father.

4. At the stable in Bethlehem we contemplate Mary, who brought forth the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our Lady shines out as a model to all who wholeheartedly put their trust in God’s promises.

With her and Joseph, we remain in adoration before the cradle of Bethlehem, as we imploringly call upon heaven:  “Let your face shine upon us and save us, Lord!”.