We want to continue in the joy of Christmas. We heard the wisemen were overwhelmed with joy because they had found Jesus. God is making Jesus known so we can encounter Him like the wisemen did. Each one of us has a longing to seek after Jesus in our lives just as He seeks after us. Jesus is the source of our Christmas Joy. Today we see the wisemen, foreigners, coming to know Jesus. God desires everyone to come to know Jesus. These wisemen had a genuine openness to be guided by God, by the star, this heavenly light. They set out not knowing how it would end, taking a risk, venturing out of their own countries. In their encounter with Jesus they were brought joy. God desires to reveal Jesus to us so that we may encounter Him. Pope Francis wrote in “The Joy of the Gospel” in 2013:
I invite all Christians everywhere at this very moment to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them. I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this Invitation is not meant for him or her since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk. Whenever we take a step toward Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there waiting with open arms.
Pope Francis – The Joy of the Gospel
As we continue to celebrate the Christmas Joy, may we remember the words of Pope Francis to inspire us on our journey this year.
