Seventh Christmas Meditation
For a long time it has been a tradition that in the nativity scene the grotto of Bethlehem is not only illuminated by the splendour of the Child Jesus, together with Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men from the Orient bring their gifts and adore them: no, even the unreasonable creation is included! They are silent witnesses of the events in Bethlehem! In that way, the presence of the animals gets a deep meaning! Read More
Sixth Christmas Meditation
“You are well aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty.” (2Cor 8,9)
A poverty that makes others rich.
That’s how you could describe what happens at Christmas. Read More
Fifth Christmas Meditation
The primordial cell of human community, the family, has been strengthened by God the Father through the birth of His Son into a human family and has set its example for us. With His incarnation, God wanted to penetrate all spheres of existence, and the family is first and foremost in an excellent position.
The love between man and woman, so aptly described by Saint Paul, allows us to glimpse the mystery of the love between God and the soul (cf. Eph 5,24-25.32). Read More
Fourth Christmas Meditation
The Lord is born as a child! God has chosen this way to come close to us and also to make Himself understandable for us! The child awakens joy, tenderness and love as well as the need to protect it! No one is afraid of a child! Even otherwise closed people can often meet children freely!
The child can awaken the best in people!
It is like a memory – especially in the very early phase – which still tells us something about paradise, about the original innocence of man, even if original sin leaves its shadow in every human being! Read More
Third Christmas Meditation
The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem receive the message of the angels with joy and hurry to the new-born child! They are simple people who, in their simplicity of heart, understand the importance of this message and are surely overwhelmed by the holiness of the events in the Grotto of Bethlehem!
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.” (Mt 2,6). Read More
Second Christmas meditation
The adoring parents of the Lord, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds who came from the fields and the three wise men from the Orient who are already on their way to the new-born King; they all are touched and attracted by the mystery of the Incarnation here on earth!
In different ways each of them has an encounter with the Lord! Read More
Dear friends, during the Christmas octave that is about to begin, I will leave the familiar framework of the daily interpretations of the Holy Scriptures a little behind me and instead will lay down simple meditations on the Christmas events – together with Christmas songs of the Harpa Dei Choir! I hope that the wonderful event of Christmas can come a little deeper into us! Read More
Lk 1,67-79
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has set them free, and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David, just as he proclaimed, by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times, that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all those who hate us, and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant. Read More
Mal 3,1-4.23-24
‘Look, I shall send my messenger to clear a way before me. And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple; yes, the angel of the covenant, for whom you long, is on his way, says Yahweh Sabaoth. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they can make the offering to Yahweh with uprightness. Read More
Mt 1,18-24
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Read More
