God Wants to Be with Us! The Joy of the Incarnation

Have you ever thought that Advent longing is just as much God longing for us as it is us seeking for him? Gayle Somers shares the surprising things she discovered about what the Incarnation meant to God as she studied the Old Testament through Catholic eyes (hint: our bodies matter!). She also suggests a new way to approach the manger at Christmas.

Gayle Somers has taught scripture to adult Catholics for 25 years in her diocesan catechetical institute and the Institute for Catholic Theology in Phoenix, AZ. She is the author of several Bible studies and posts a weekly commentary on the Sunday lectionary readings at www.corardens.com. She contributed a series of eight reflections on “Prayers of Faithful Women” to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. She and Sarah Christmyer co-wrote two bible studies on Genesis, available from the St. Paul Center.

Take Gayle’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Revelation 21:3–4

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes)

“Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?