HERE, THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US.

        I once asked my Church History professor, "what is the greatest historical event of all time." He responded by saying that it was the Incarnation. We had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the Church of the Nativity near the holy manger where the Word of God became flesh. Being at the place where Jesus was born, seeing the history of our faith come alive, brought much joy into our hearts. "Wow", I said to myself, "this is the place where Jesus Christ was born!" What an honor to be here. 

        We started at St. Catherine's (the Catholic side of the church), and were escorted in a solemn procession to the grotto. Walking in with my brothers made the experience that much more memorable. Pilgrims from all over the world saw us process in and out of the church, and they themselves came in and out singing Christmas carols in a multitude of languages. Though Mass was in English, I could see people looking at the spot where Christ was born while looking at us during Mass. We shared the same experience of awe although we speak different languages. There was a unity in all of us regardless of our differences with seeing the place where Christ was born.   

        After Mass, several of us stayed for a prayer of thanksgiving. For me personally, all I could think of was gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity to dig deeper. I thought of what my Church History professor said long ago.

Thank you, Lord, for becoming a human like one of us in the Incarnation.