Wonder and awe

These words have been very much overused and misused in our modern world of hype and twisted meanings.

Yet these words perfectly describe what is at the heart of today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45)

Awe.

Elizabeth realizes that she is in the presence of the Lord Himself, incarnate in the womb of her cousin Mary.

Wonder.

Elizabeth is amazed in mind and soul at what has happened and what is before her.

In a few days we will celebrate Christmas.

It is a day most of us have celebrated many times before.

It is a day truly for wonder and awe, just as was the day Mary visited Elizabeth – if not more so.

Consider what we celebrate, as described so simply and eloquently by Saint John (John 1:1,14a):

In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God....

...and the Word was made flesh
and dwelt among us...

Prepare well for this Christmas.

Prepare to look into the manger, prepare to look into the eyes of the newborn Christ...

...with wonder and awe.