Homilies
Christmas Day
December 25, 2006
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What’s the Meaning?
The Light has come into the world.
While the readings for Midnight Mass for Christmas focus very much on the event of the birth of Jesus, the readings for the Day Mass for the Nativity of our Lord explain the profound significance of the Light coming into the world.
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah sets the stage, putting us in the right disposition to hear the Gospel. Imagine a war hero being greeted by thousands in a festive hometown parade. This is the sense of the significance of the joy Isaiah is trying to convey. Thanks be to God, the Jews have been met with a great victory, they are being released from captivity. There is a new beginning and those who are welcoming them back are singing about it. In their joy, they sense that this is only a foretaste of what the coming of the Messiah will be like.
In the Epistle, Saint Paul is giving an exhortation to the Jews who have chosen to follow the Way, even though it means they are banished from the Temple. Jesus, says Saint Paul, is superior even to the angels. To follow him is to be beyond the old way of Temple worship. We used to only have prophets, but now we a have the God–man. Jesus is, says Saint Paul, “the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” In Jesus, God himself has come down to be with us.
The Gospel gives us a different look at the genealogy of Jesus. Other evangelists had written about the birth of Jesus, and started with his genealogy as well. Matthew shows that Jesus is definitely of the Jews and of the Messianic line when he traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Abraham. Luke shows that Jesus is of mankind itself when he traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam.
But Saint John the Evangelist goes even further. He demonstrates the mystical genealogy of Jesus. John shows that Jesus comes from the Second Person of the Trinity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Just as the narration of creation in Genesis starts with “In the beginning…” John starts the new creation story with ”In the beginning…” Yes, in the beginning “was the Word.” And then later: “And the Word was made flesh…” Yes, he who was with God in the beginning, he through whom all things came into being, he who is God has taken on flesh to walk among us! “The true light which enlightens everyone is come into the world!”
What’s the Message?
The fact that each of us continues to sin each day is proof positive that we don’t cling to the significance of today’s message: The True Light is come into the world.
This is (together with it’s fulfillment in the Resurrection) is the most profound event in the history of the world. To gaze upon the manger scene—upon the infant Jesus lying in his Mother’s arms—and to reflect that this is the Light that has come into the world (in all poverty and all humility) is to begin to see reality with a mystical vision.
To hold this thought, to cling to it, to reflect upon it, to be nourished by in the Eucharist is to begin to live a life free of sin, stupidity, and dissipation.
What’s the Response?
A good response to today’s readings is to reflect upon the Gospel reading and how it is manifested in the Child Jesus lying in the manger. The words of Evangelist are probably the most profound thought ever put to parchment. The subject matter is of the most sublime, yet the reality is accessible to us.
One concrete response to today’s readings is to make a commitment to read today’s Gospel once a day (in church and in front of the manger scene) once a day every day for nine days after Christmas. As Richard Weaver says in his book of the same title: “Ideas have consequences.” If we reflect upon this idea, if it becomes a part of who we are, it can have nothing but good consequences.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
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Contribution by Brother Anthony Myers
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