Holy Child laughs . . .

Mass The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas God loved the world so much . . . . Jn. 3:16 At the Carols Service for the Knights at the Guesthouse – at the Christmas refreshments there was a very small child looking very happy. She smiled and beamed her benign gaze on each one, looking into our eyes with wonder. This morning, the Gospel (Lk. 2:22 . . .) speaks of Simeon In the Temple and the widow Anna. Both speak the body language of their aging years and speak the words of prophesy. The body language of the Child Jesus expresses the infant’s contentment and smiling with embrace of love. We have just been singing of the ‘laughing eyes’ in the opening Hymn: The Holy Child of Bethlehem beholds his Mother’s face, And laughs to see reflected there His own dear gift of grace His gift of grace. And that brightens our morning in celebrating the Mass, asking the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts.