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 Glory has something to do with beauty.  And what is more beautiful than the overwhelming grace of God coming to dwell with us.  Indeed, how could the shepherds not be afraid....when God's glory engulfed them.  Here, in the dead of night, the Light has come.

We glorify God by doing what Mary and Joseph did.  They embraced God's will and in that surrender they experienced peace despite the fact that they knew all the hardships of a pilgrim's journey:  poverty, lack of residence, shortage of life's necessities.  By doing what God asked of them, they experienced God's favor and, once having received this participation in the life of grace, they shared it with each and all whom they met.

Christmas is about glory.  God's beauty made manifest in the birth of Jesus.  Christmas is about peace; the graced relationship in which we are "right" with God.  Christmas is about joy for we have heard the good news of God's love and mercy. 

Lord Jesus, born of Mary, help us to understand more deeply the mystery of your coming among us.  May we glorify you in prayer and service; may we be instruments of your peace and joy.  Grant us the grace to do your will, whatever it may be.