The word infant literally means “one who cannot speak.” How ironic, then, that the eternal Word is born into the world as a helpless infant who utters not a single syllable. While some will see such a contradiction as absurd, our faith nevertheless invites us to trust that there is a lesson in it all. What if the Word’s humble acceptance of this particular plan of salvation actually sounds forth more powerfully than all the wavelengths that ever existed? What if, by this divine risk of incarnation, the Word is modeling for us the meaning of our human existence? What if instead of “speaking our minds,” “voicing our opinions” and “telling our tales,” we are called to be co-listeners with the Word, to be vulnerable by our openness, and to speak a message of hope to others through the very witness of our lives? One day that little baby will become a man and the wooden manger will become the Cross, and we will learn that the meaning of our lives, from the feeding trough to that gushing side, is eucharistic. In the meantime, let us simply enjoy the silence of this most holy night and allow our hearts to be captivated by the mystery and beauty of the Word-made-infant. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
December 25, 2020
Published
Voice of Moreau 
Thank you for this new perspective on the gift we celebrate today.
God bless you Brother Phil and all the Brothers of Holy Cross. I love you and Merry Christmas!
Jeff
Merry Christmas to Brothers Phil and Ben!
Amen! And Merry Christmas Brothers!
Beautifully written meditation. Thank you for these wonderfully inspiring posts! God bless you Brothers Phil and Ben! Please keep James Monsour in your prayers. He entered the Benedictine Abbey at Clear Creek (Oklahoma) as a postulant in September, and is doing very well there. Thanks to you for helping foster his vocation!
Greetings Mrs. Monsour, thanks for your kind words. Yes, James will be remembered by me by name at each adoration and each time I am visiting the tabernacle. There are a group of folks who have asked for my prayerful support and I remember them there. The important thing for him is to take it one day at a time and to listen deeply – now that’s a winning combination that is guaranteed to bring him into contact with the living God! Please tell all of my Monsour friends that I say hello especially Simon (he is so tall!!!!!) and Christine (she is such a sweet pea!!!!). Peace and lots of love to you and your family in the new year. Ben