As the Christmas season draws to a close, we reflect not so much on the birth of Jesus as on the impact that birth had on all those who heard of it—the shepherds, the magi, the villagers, and us. By taking on our human reality, God shows us how to move beyond our ordinary routines into lives that can make a difference in our world.
The coming of the Magi to visit the holy family was a sign that Christ had come not only for the people of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, but for all people in all times and places. It is a reminder that we’re called to be ever more inclusive, to be open to questions from all those who seek the love and the mercy and the peace of God.
— from The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections from Pope Francis by Diane M. Houdek
