Sunday readings in brief: Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalms 97(98); Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
Christmas is a Time of Renewal
Dear friends, today is Christmas Day, one of the two most significant moments in the life of a Christian. The other one is the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. If Christ were not born today, we would not be saved and we would still be slaves to sin and doomed. Again if Christ was born and did not die and resurrect, then St. Paul tells us our faith would be futile (1 Cor 15:12-14).
Last night we celebrated the most glorious of all nights when Christ was born to the world. Today on Christmas day, we wake up to the Good News that our salvation has been born in Bethlehem (our hearts). We all must make haste to go and worship him like the shepherds and the Wise Men from the East did. Christmas is the day when God, out of his absolute love for us, decided to become like us in all aspects except sin, so that we could become like him regaining the lost image and likeness. Since creation, God has always put you and me first in his love though we sometimes do not put him even on the list of our priorities.
During the Advent seminar last week, I asked the few faithful who attended, what they would do if the president of the country told them that he would visit their home. Some told me that they would sell some cows to build a better house among other expensive preparations they would make. When I asked them why would they do so much, they said that if the president were to visit their home, their lives would change in many ways including people honoring and respecting them. When I asked them how they had prepared for the coming of the son of God on Christmas day, the majority were not very sure.
We may say that we are Christians but if the things that a Christian ought to do regularly are not a priority to us, then we are lairs, and the truth is not in us. Such things include Worshipping God on Sundays in Church, praying at home and in our Small Christian Communities, helping the needy, and being faithful to basic Christian values such as love for all and faithfulness to our vocations. Many Christians today opt to celebrate Christmas in entertainment joints rather than in the Churches. Many take part in activities that are even outrightly contradictory to the spirit of Christmas. How are you planning to celebrate today?
By our sins, we fall short of God’s grace and are separated from Him and our neighbor. however, God does not abandon us but rather keeps on inviting us to repent and renew our relationship with him. In the olden days, God made many attempts to redeem humankind through the prophets from Moses to John the Baptist but the grip of evil seemed too strong. The fallen humanity could not opt for God in that state of disgrace. The Word of God spoken through many prophets to no avail (second reading) had to “become flesh and dwell among us” ( Gospel Passage Jh 1:14), to bring true freedom for man and woman to be able to opt for the good.
This is the great news that Prophet Isaiah says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news”. As the world faces many challenges including man-made wars and natural disasters, also instigated by human activities, Christmas is bringing this message of hope that God is renewing his presence in our midst. The Psalmist is reminding us that “Our Lord is King” and “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God”.
Today and the next two weeks of Christmastide, we are called to be the heralds of good news to those around us. To those who are hungry, the good news must include something to eat. To those who are sick and abandoned, our presence and prayers will be Christmas to them. To those in frustration and brokenness, our solidarity will be Christmas to them and so on. Just like John the Baptist, we are charged with the responsibility of ushering Christ into the world and letting his light shine to discard. As the devil never takes a vacation and is always innovative, the current controversy and confusion in the Church should not cloud the benefits of Christmas. We are called to remain even more steadfast because the head of the Church who is Christ himself can never be confused nor will he confuse us. The Messiah is going to renew his presence in the Church and what we now see as the greatest cloud of confusion and threat to the unity of the Church will turn into a moment of renewal and deepening of our profession of faith.
Dear friends, Christmas is the greatest gift of God to humanity. His birth made it possible for us to become truly free from the slavery of sin and eternal damnation. God is our Father who does not delight in seeing us going astray. Today as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us heed the call to return to God and help those who have gone astray to understand the merciful love of God for them.
Have a Merry Christmas
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 