O Emmanuel! • God with us
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come to save us, Lord our God!
"The Word became man and dwelled among us." Many illustrious men have suggested that this central truth of our faith be written in gold letters on our temples. Although, rather, it should be lovingly and indelibly marked in the heart of every Christian as a force that makes us live.
Time was fulfilled in Mary's yes and the mystery of God with humanity was revealed to us. With the "yes" of our faith we ask Emmanuel to transform our hearts with his powerful and effective word, to cure our blindness so that we recognize him in our midst. May we welcome him into our lives like Mary and fill us with grace and truth and savor the abundance of life and light.
May we delight in the beauty of the creature's encounter with his King and Lord when celebrating the birth of the Savior, as St. Augustine experienced:
The fact is that you were inside me and I was outside.
And outside I was looking for you and, like a monstrosity of ugliness, I pounced on the beauty of your creatures.
You were with me but I was not with you. I was held prisoner far from you by those things that, if they did not exist in you, would be something non-existent.
You called me, you yelled at me, and you broke my deafness.
You flashed, you shone,
and your radiance dispelled my blindness.
You exhaled your perfumes, I took a deep breath, and I sigh for you.
I have tasted you, and I am dying of hunger and thirst.
You have touched me, and I burn with desires for your peace.
