In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
REFLECTION
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Light in the eyes of the parents beholding their newborn child is a heart-warming sight to see. The slightest move of the child fascinates those who are watching. The mother holds the newborn first, close to her heart. After she has held him/her for a while, then she passes the child to its father. He takes the baby and cuddles it near his heart and observes the tiny hands stretching out but soon puts them into its mouth. These moments are for the family to nurture a bond of love, protection, and unity between the mother, father, and newborn child.
Medical staff in most hospitals with labor and delivery departments encourage this practice. This is a natural activity that should come instinctively in a family.
Today's social pressures to blur relationships in a family have led to a reeducation of young parents to help them rediscover these nurturing instincts after the birth of a child.
Blessed Virgin Mary saw the Light, Jesus ! She was the first to hold Him in her arms, close to her heart. After His birth, Mary shared Jesus with Joseph. Their bond is the model for all families. Let us pray for more families to be like the Holy Family. Here is the prayer dedicating all families to be holy.
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