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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Christmas Day

Good morning, and a happy Christmas to you all.

One Christmas morning I was unlocking a town centre church when a young couple passed by, dressed to the nines, their partying finished and heading for their hotel. They came to greet me and, to my surprise, said: ‘Oh we were just talking about God as we walked along. It’s such a special day, isn’t it?’

Indeed it is a special day and deserves a moment of deeper reflection.

A child born into poverty. A child first welcomed not by the well-to-do, but by shepherds, smelling of their sheep. A child who comes to answer all our need.

This child lies at the heart of all the efforts we make to express our love for each other – in the kitchen, the decorations, the presents –because all the love in our lives has its origin in the mystery of God, who is love. And this child is that love come totally into our flesh. So we recognise in him the best of ourselves, and all that lies beyond our achieving. We see in him a glimpse of the fulfilment for which we long.

For he has come to take us beyond ourselves, into the unfolding mystery of God, from whom comes our life and in whom lies our final destiny. Welcome him today: at the crib; in a moment of prayer of thanksgiving before you eat; in a kiss of greeting to those you love.

Father in heaven, we pray that today will be a great day, a happy day, as we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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