“You are my Beloved… with you I am well pleased.”  These words from today’s Gospel Reading in Mark are among the most tender and touching words in the Bible.  God spoke these words from heaven to his perfect son.  Of course we want to believe that we are pleasing in God’s eyes, too, just as we want to believe that we are pleasing in the eyes of others in our earthly life.  That we matter.  That we belong, and are welcome, and are appreciated, and are fully, unconditionally loved for exactly who we are. 

I’m writing this reflection just prior to the Christmas holiday.  The one where so many of us make a special effort to live out the promise of Christ in the world: to be loving and accepting and to celebrate home.  We try to BE this and deep in our souls we hope to EXPERIENCE this if not everyday, then surely at least during this holy time in the church year. 

Well dear reader, I don’t know about you but for me (with my oft-times unrealistic expectations) the reality of that Christmas prayer is not always achieved.  I’m not always able to be Christ-like; in fact, like John, I rather always realize that I am wholly unworthy to stoop before Christ let alone to aspire to be like Christ.  And others around me are not always able to be Christ-like, either. 

Yet still, we ARE beloved.  The promise of the Christ child, lying in a manger; of Christ the human, aged 30 and being baptized by John; of Christ the son, being crucified and resurrected…. That promise is ours!  What a reassurance to know that we too are pleasing in God’s sight!  So, Praises to God; Blessings to You.  Remember always that  you ARE beloved and with YOU, God is well pleased.