As we take time this week to continue our reflections on the birth of Jesus and its lessons for us, we see the clear message of love. "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son. Whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life." This child is the manifestation of God's love for us, a love that was proclaimed to us from the beginning of creation. God created us in his own image and likeness, giving us a human spirit and sharing his own divine life with us. But we didn't know how to respond to love with love. We chose to sin instead. So God's love was proclaimed in his promise to send us a Savior. Centuries later, this promise became realized when the Son of God become flesh, so that we may become sons and daughters of God once more. 

Mary and Joseph manifests to us the true response to this love of God. Though they had their own plans, they submitted to the plan of God in love and obedience. Mary said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be in done to me according to your word." Joseph, instead of putting Mary aside by a decree of divorce, at the angel's message, took her into his home. Can you imagine the love that welled up in their hearts as they beheld the gift of God in the person of this child? It was with love that they held this child, the Son of the Most High God. It was out of love that they fled to Egypt to protect this child from the murderous will of Herod. It was love that motivated their care and formation of this child as he grew to maturity. What should our response be for this gift of Love in the flesh?