Homilies

CHRISTMAS DAY: JESUS IS OUR LOVE AT CHRISTMAS

“IN THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” This verse comes from the prologue of John’s Gospel. The Word is Jesus Christ. He is the reason for all our celebration this Christmas season. The first reading, prophet Isaiah tells about the Lord comforting His people by redeeming Jerusalem. Salvation of our God is bared. The responsorial Psalm is all praise as salvation is known. “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” The author of the letter to the Hebrews writes that in these last days it is the Son himself who speaks. God speaks through his Son. These are words of salvation and love. 

These Mass readings for Christmas day are a great reminder that Jesus is the focus of all our existence. His incarnation is a very rich source for reflection. Why Jesus did take the form of the flesh? Was his decision worth it? Is the human person that precious?

Jesus took the form of the flesh for that is the only way that humanity can be saved. He could have just commanded his angels to do the work for him. But no! Jesus himself has sacrificed. Even from the very beginning of his earthly existence by being born in a manger and strapped in swaddling clothes. It is the lowliest of births during the time. Jesus knew that by taking the human form he can truly be with his people. Jesus, the new Adam experienced every same feeling, reaction and thoughts that we have, in the same manner that the first Adam has experienced, except sin. Later we realize that we share with Jesus’ life. In fact, all things in the universe share in his life.

Jesus freed us from the slavery to sin. The liberation granted to the human person is so great that all of us are no longer bound to sin. Frail as we are, the only thing left is our inclination to sin. Here we see that the Gospel encourages us to be with Jesus always as he is the source of life. The life gives light to the entire human race. The light that shines in the darkness, and darkness cannot overcome it. This is a worthy decision that did not come from us, but from God’s. A decision made so precious.

We are very important in the eyes of God, a very precious creation by the creator. By dwelling with us, we saw his glory. He is full of grace and truth. This grace is given to us; we are not worthy of receiving. Our sinfulness may hinder us from benefitting from this grace, but God never closes his doors to us. Continuously he wants us back with him, loving us to the end. A love like no other! A love that we can only have from Jesus; the God who loves us truly!

If we look at our situation today, Christmas season may be filled with so much commercialism, parties, and celebrations. Subtly, people want to be reminded of the center of all things at Christmas: Jesus. At times, we may lose sight of the essence of Christmas, but let us never forget to look at Jesus. Jesus is the reason for all of our existence. He loves us so much. Why don’t we extend this love to our neighbours, not only today, but for the rest of our time?

The 17th century Discalced Carmelite, Brother Lawrence, has this to say to us. “At the heart of Christian spirituality is Christ and his two-fold command, love of God and love of neighbor, with the love of neighbor as t the test of one love of God... who is our neighbor? The people we work with, the people we live with, the people who come knocking on our door - rich and poor alike.” Brother Lawrence understood the missionary character of what it means to be a Christian. And I would like to add, of what it means to celebrate Christmas.

Jesus is the love that we share at Christmas, Jesus is the love that we share every day. I receive a message from a friend which says, “A sweet line from Jesus: I’ve come to you not to make you love me, but rather to make you realize that you are worth loving.” May we share this love to everyone... MERRY CHRISTMAS!


                                                                                 [Fr RUBEN ELAGO MSP
                                                                                   Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand]

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