First Letter of John 4,11-18.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
Psalms 72(71),1-2.10.12-13.
Of Solomon.
O God, give your judgment to the king; your justice to the son of kings; That he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment,
May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts.
For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help.
He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6,45-52.
Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
MIRACLES IN A WINTER STORM
"As evening drew on, the boat was far out on the lake while He was alone on the land. Then, seeing them tossed about as they tried to row with the wind against them, He came walking toward them on the water." –Mark 6:47-48
Christmas is a celebration of the miraculous. A virgin gives birth, wise men follow a star, the Spirit descends in the form of a dove, the Father's voice is heard from the heavens. The miracles of Christmas confirm that "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).
Right now you may be facing "impossible" circumstances. You need to cross the lake in a storm. You must restore your marriage although your spouse is not willing to cooperate. You are called to resurrect your spiritually dead church. You must witness for Jesus at work, but your co-workers are trapped in sin. Your youngest son doesn't go to church and is ruining his life, but he won't listen to you. You face "impossible" circumstances, but Jesus can get you across the lake through the storm. He can get you to the other side of your problems (see Jn 6:21).
Christmas is the proclamation and the promise that Jesus will do miracles in your life as He did at the first Christmas. He's walking on your water in the middle of your storm. Let Him get into the boat of your life and be your Lord.
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