Feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lord

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works.
Letter to Titus

Advent was the beginning of the Church year, when we (hopefully) prepared ourselves for Christ, to be acceptable in the Eyes of God, so that when He comes He may gaze into our eyes and we may gaze back in return and there find mutual love.  It was the few lowly shepherds who lived simple lives who had prepared themselves for the Savior, who were ready when Christ was born, to gaze at Him.... with him... in a deep fountain of great love.  And this is how we should see one another.... with great love.  To look at each person.... every person.... they way God does.... as a soul made in His Image and His likeness.  But how often we look at each other with the eyes of man and see only little gifts, little talents, little charming attributes,  little irritating attributes, little uglinesses, little faults.  God looks at us lovingly and longingly as the beautiful soul that He created.  Because in the soul of each person is the image and likeness of God Himself.  How can that be since so few are God-like?  Well, it is simply the way it is.  And so often we want to blame and point and accuse others of being sinful when in reality it is we ourselves.  We who are not being saintly. The mark of the saint is joy.  So, may we all be blessed this Christmas season with great love, that our joy may be full.

♥ . Julie