Originally published at The Catholic Thing
We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Although this verse does not show up in the Christmas liturgy, it’s very much at the heart of the Christmas mystery. This feast is one of looking and seeing, of beholding and being changed. The angels bid the shepherds to go and see the child lying in a manger. John tells us, The Word became flesh, and we have seen his glory. We sing, Come to Bethlehem and see. . . .Venite adoremus. . . .Come and behold Him.
Now, behold means more than just to look at or to see. It means to take hold of internally what we see externally, and thus to allow it to change us. To behold Christ means to be held by Him. The act of beholding Christ is meant to transform us into the very One we adore.
Jesus Christ, the infant lying in the manger, is the invisible God made visible. He comes into the world precisely so that we can look and gaze upon Him. We’ve been praying for this. Repeatedly throughout Advent we
