In his 2017 reflection for Christmas Day, Richard Rohr, revered theologian of the Franciscan order, shares some words about the old and new. Rohr writes: “Francis [of Assisi] was at once very traditional and entirely new in the ways of holiness. Franciscanism is not an iconoclastic dismissal of traditional Christian images, history, or culture, but a positive choosing of the deep, shining, and enduring divine images that are hidden beneath the too-easy formulas. It is no fast-food religion, but slow and healthy nutrition.”
Choosing the deep, shining, and enduring divine images proves to be rich ground for us. To be certain, the baby in the manger and the beginning of an unbelievable ministry are some images which call to mind the newness of this time. And yet, the beginning of the Gospel of John, where we read that Jesus, the Word, was there in the beginning with God, calls to mind how God has been and will always be making all things new.
Prayer
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
