Today’s readings invite us to look at where God chooses to dwell. David, in his palace, feels remiss that he has not provided a suitable palace for God, rather than the tattered and worn tent covering the Ark of the Covenant.

Imagine the misplaced compassion of David! David the king felt sorry for God. As he looked out of his palace window and saw the Tent of the Presence, David felt that he lived better than God did.

A 6-year-old climbed into her mother’s lap the morning of Christmas Eve, and said, “Mommy, I’m afraid I’m going to die.”

Imagine Mary’s bewilderment when the angel Gabriel greeted her with the familiar words, “Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.”

There are two seconds left to play. The shooter is at the foul line. The game will be decided by his two free throws. He needs to make both of them to win the game. It is all on his shoulders.

Brothers and sisters, as the celebration of the birth of our Lord draws near, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A God who became so small could only be mercy and love.