“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
The feast of the Nativity of our Lord is fast approaching. He is the incomparable gift that our Heavenly Father gives to this world, which finds it so difficult to recognize the love of God revealed to it: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5).
Nevertheless, our Father gives Himself completely and makes the way of salvation accessible to all people in Jesus. “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand” (Jn 3:35).
If we allow the biblical texts of these days to speak to our hearts, they will be for us an invitation to enter more deeply into the love of our Father, to contemplate His heart and to know Him ever better. It is essential that we allow ourselves to be touched by His love, so that it may become a flowing fountain capable of being poured out on others.
Let us hear the Lord rejoice over the daughter of Zion to whom He sends the Savior:
“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! (…) The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival” (Zeph 3:14,17-18a).
Our Father wants to make His love known to all people, and for this purpose He sends us His own Son. He, the Savior, does not bring death and destruction. On the contrary, He removes the heavy yoke that oppresses people and makes their lips pure (Zeph 3:9), for the Lord is “a warrior who gives victory” who “will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love”.