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The first reading on this festive day of rejoicing is taken from a poem of comfort for mourners bewailing the loss of Jerusalem. In this passage a messenger will bring good news of peace and happiness to the people. God is King and will restore Jerusalem with his power and strength. This salvific action will be seen by all the nations surrounding Judah. Psalm 97 picks up the same motif of salvation in a song of praise.

Today's gospel is a hymn celebrating the preexistent Word and its activity in creation. It speaks of the Word as a light which enlightens and guides human beings. The Letter to the Hebrews draws on the same image when it describes the Son of God as the radiant light of God's glory. John's incarnate Word is now the resurrected Son who has taken his place at God's right hand and is higher than the angels.

Today we remember that day, over 2,000 years ago when a great light shone down on the earth. And although we are thinking of his birth we are very aware that this child we adore today grew into a man who was resurrected and now worshipped by angels. Let us break into shouts of joy together and proclaim the good news to those around us that God has visited his people.