Like the shepherds

"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: 'Come to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has told us." Lk 2:15

Dear friends:

Today is Christmas Eve, and as the shepherds, to whom it was announced a great joy: the birth of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (cf. Lk 2:10-11), we too can go to Bethlehem and see with our hearts what has happened, what God has manifested.

Like the shepherds, we too are in the open watching our flocks (cf. Lk 2:8). That is, we are in the current night of our time concerned with our responsibilities and occupations, watching our everyday affairs. Those affairs, that sometimes leave us no time to sleep, no time to rest. But amid all this, a messenger of God tells us: "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:11). In the midst of our daily lives, breaks God's love for us and tell us: "I am here with you, I'm here for you."

Like the shepherds, we too must be on our way to Bethlehem to the manger, towards home, towards that small and intimate space where God wants to give himself to us.

"They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Lk 2:16

The gospel tells us not of the details of the visit of the shepherds to the manger. However, I imagine that by the way they were eager to see what God had told them: a savior was born! How would this savior be? They may have asked... And upon arriving, they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger... What an amazing image, and what a tender moment.

The shepherds came to the manger, came to see this Savior, this Child, who is Christ the Lord... They came and they saw; and probably were there for a good time with Mary, Joseph and the baby. And probably not only contemplated the Child, but were contemplated by the Child, were loved by him through his eyes.

We also, on this Christmas Eve can approach to the manger and let that Child, who is God-with-us, look to us and love us. Also we can let ourselves be loved by those around us: our families, our friends, and the people with whom we walk along this year.

Let ourselves be loved… Maybe this is the best attitude with which we can live this Christmas Eve and receive the Lord. Rather than to do much, most importantly, let ourselves be loved, because when we allow ourselves to be loved by God and by those around us, our heart is renewed and is free to live and love.

If today we allow ourselves to be loved by the Child and His Mother, then we will be like the shepherds, who "returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20), because we will have seen and heard how loved we are.

I desire that today each of you experience that love, and live a happy and blessed Christmas.

With love, Oscar Ivan