God’s ultimate act of love for us was coming among us to show us what love is in every action of his life, every word from his mouth, every time he healed or forgave or welcomed the outcast or fed the hungry. In each one, he shows us love in action. In our first reading, John tells us, “God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” Don’t simple words hide such rich meaning? John has also told us that “He came to his own people, and his own people did not receive Him.” There is a stark sadness here that is overwhelming. The God who created all things out of love; the God who chooses to share his own life of love with us; the God who never gives up on us; the God who says to us, “Look at all that I do, and you will see what love is, and you will see just how much I love you.” That wondrous and immense God is the God born today in Bethlehem. The child in the crib, embraced in the love of Joseph and Mary, is God! What greater love is possible than that our God comes among us so that we can know how much we are loved? Yet, “He came to his own people, and his own people did not receive Him.” The infant we see in the crib today is our God crying out to us, “Look, Look, I am here with you, among you, recognize me… receive me… please!” This is our challenge this Christmas and every Christmas. It is not a challenge that should put us off enjoying our Christmas dinner. Instead, it is a realization that should make us want it even more. God has come among us; Our God is with us. It’s what love does; it’s what love is. Thirty-three years later, the Resurrection of that same child from the dead shows us that love triumphs even over death. And so we, you and I, thanks to the child born today, can and should celebrate this joyful truth.