Preparing for The Nativity of the Lord
Two short reflections to help us to prepare for the Nativity of The Lord.
Above, this Christmastide, the Scripture we pray reminds us of some of the many different ways in which God has spoken to us all through the ages, and how he may be speaking to me today.
Below, ‘The Nativity at Night’ by Dutch artist Geertgen tot Sint Jans, (1490), is a mystic attempt to imagine that unique holy night; the feast of Christmas or Christ-Mass. This mystery is at the heart of our faith and in the heart of our Mother, Mary, as she holds her hands not in readiness to pick her baby up but in quiet prayer. We are invited to offer our praise at the glory of the birth of our Saviour.
Pope Francis reminds us that “In order to love life we don’t need to fill it up with things, which then become idols; we need only that Jesus watch over us. It is his gaze that tells us: it is good that you are alive, your life is not useless, because it has been entrusted with a great duty. Let us turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face”.
Thank you to the entire school community for all your support and encouragement this term, and through 2019. May I wish all of our young people, staff, parents, carers, and friends, a holy and peaceful Christmas.
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Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel