“The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men” (Tit 2:11).
The words of the Apostle Paul reveal the mystery of this holy night:
the grace of God has appeared, his gift is free; in the Child given unto
us the love of God is made visible.
It is a night of glory, that glory proclaimed by the angels in Bethlehem and also by us today all over the world.
It is a night of joy, because from this day forth, and for all times,
the infinite and eternal God is God with us: he is not far off, we need
not search for him in the heavens or in mystical notions; he is close,
he is been made man and will never distance himself from our humanity,
which he has made his own.
It is a night of light: that light, prophesied by Isaiah (cf. 9:1),
which would illumine those who walk in darkness, has appeared and
enveloped the shepherds of Bethlehem (cf. Lk 2:9)....
(Click link for the rest of the Pope’s homily.)
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