Preached Christmas Eve at Kintore College:

Psalm 88: 2-5: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.

Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,

that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

This is from this evening’s responsorial psalm. A beautiful exultation of who we will give praise through hymns and songs when we adore God. Isn’t it wonderful how Christmas is known for carolling, for the many beautiful Christmas songs, Christmas concerts that we hear very year these hymns, and we never get used to them? They evoke our childhood, a time of simplicity and confidence.

Especially important is the theme of joy because God has come close to us, and has made himself vulnerable like a little child. We also focus in on the tenderness of Mary and Joseph. The purity of Mary and the protective gaze of Joseph.

But no manger scene is complete without an ox and an ass in the picture.

Music: Die Schönsten Deutsche Weihnachtslieder : Helige Nacht.

Thumbnail: Duccio di Buoninsegna Nativity 1308, National Gallery, Washington, DC.