Preparation for Christmas, Part 3
With the child comes a new time, the hour of grace.
All are called, all are invited to receive it.
God makes it easy for us to come to him.
The tenderness of the child proclaims: Do not be afraid, I am here!
Why should I still be afraid?
The heavenly Father sends his Son and says: I am coming so close to you.
Do not be afraid, the Savior is born to you (cf. Lk 2:10-11).
If everyone forgets you, I will not forget you (cf. Isa 49:15).
How could I ever forget you, Ephraim? (cf. Hos 11:8)
Why should I still be afraid?
“The light shines in the darkness” (Jn 1:5).
“Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)
You escaped from Herod, you were brought to Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-15), you preached the Gospel (cf. Mk 1:14-15).
Why should I still be afraid?
You threw my sins behind Your back (cf. Isa 38:17).
You opened the door to eternity for me.
You revealed to us the beloved Father.
You gave us the Virgin Mary as our Mother (cf. Jn 19:27).
Why should I still be afraid?
You have rejected the devil (cf. 1 Jn 3:8).
You have broken the power of darkness, exalted the lowly and humbled the proud (cf. Lk 1:52).
Why should I still be afraid?
You sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, with the Father (cf. Jn 15:26).
You raised the dead (cf. Mk 5:35-42), healed the lepers (cf. Mt 8:2-3) and on the cross you offered your forgiving love to all people.
Why should I still be afraid?
Lord, help our small faith (cf. Mk 9:24),
Lord, make us like you,
Lord, save us from ourselves
and give us infinite trust.
Then, O Lord, we will fear no more!