I don't feel it. At all. I wish I did. But life has burned it out of me.

December 25, 2023

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 (RSV-CE)

This prophecy and its fulfillment we celebrate this holy night is for wounded souls like ours.

For this child is not just born “a long time ago” and “once apon a time.” The child is born now and always here, in the worn-out manger that is my soul. And perhaps yours too.

No mere self-help guru, this Incarnate Christ is the very Wisdom of God behind the universe entering space and time. His is the impulse that shines through the sun. Unite with him, my wounded soul, and be joined to the return of the light as solstice passes.

Merry or not, it is Christmas. O come, let us adore him.

Except where otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.