The image of Jesus given to us by the author of Revelation seems at first glance to be such a contrast to the child given to us at Christmas.  While we wait for a vulnerable new-born, we are handed "one like the Son of Man" who seems very old, only, he has eyes "like a flame of fire,'"  a voice "like the sound of many waters," and a face that is like "the sun shining with full force."

Was the sound of an infant's cry splitting the night equal to the "sound of many waters?"  Was there something in the eyes that first opened upon Mary and Joseph like an ember of the flame to come?  Was the light of the star that illuminated his birth simply a heavenly reflection of the face that later shone like the sun? 

Are we ready to welcome, in the infant, the power of Ancient?  Are we prepared to invite into our life the one who sees through us to the truth of our being and loves us into that truth?  Will we open ourselves to the light that reveals the way that will lead to life?  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.  He is life.  Will we live in him?