Christmas 2019 (Fr. Francis)
“Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord” (cf. Lk 2:11) From the infinite Kingdom of Heaven, the Word of God journeys to the small town of Bethlehem. The Light from Light enters a darkened world in the middle of the night. The Only-Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, takes on flesh and is born of the lowly Blessed Virgin Mary. The All-Powerful God becomes vulnerable, unable to move His limbs as He is wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Word through whom all things were made, including blazing sun, relies on the embrace of His mother to keep Him warm. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is now under the guardianship of a humble carpenter. Isaiah says, “a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace” (Is 9:5), but He sleeps this silent night in a manger — a trough for cattle. The glory of the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity is hidden under the veil of flesh, but not lost. His divine nature is perfectly united to human nature so that we might be able to see the living God face to face and be saved. Rejoice! Our God has come to save us!
Without eyes enlightened by faith, all that can be seen is a baby like any other. To those with faith, however, He is the Savior; He is God with us. Mary knows that “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32–33). Joseph knows that Jesus “will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). The multitude of angels know Who He is and so they praise God saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). The shepherds know that Jesus is the Savior because they are told by the angels. They believe and, along with the Magi, come to adore the Child, bowing down before Him.
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary more than two millennia ago, yet we still say, “today is born a Savior” (cf. Lk 2:11). Jesus did not come only to be with those who would walk with Him two thousand years ago. He came for all. He came to offer salvation to all. He came to remain with us always. That is why He promised His apostles, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). The Lord of all comes into our midst and makes his dwelling among us in a humble way. His divinity is fully present, yet unable to be seen without the eyes of faith. The Lord, of course, comes to be with us here in this church when the simple elements of bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Today, the Lord’s manger is the altar. To this manger we come to feast. Today, the Lord is wrapped in swaddling clothes that look like bread and wine. Today, we are like the shepherds who come to kneel down and adore Him, our King, our Savior, the Christ Child. Today we, like the Magi, come to present gifts worthy of the King of Kings: the gift of our worship. Today, we sing with the angels who have not ceased praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk 2:14). Today, we are like Mary, contemplating the Lord present among us. Today, we are like Joseph who watch over and guard the Lord’s presence. Today, we receive the Word made flesh into our bodies and souls. Today, we proclaim to the world with the angel, “do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people . . . a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord” (Lk 2:10–11). Today, therefore, is not unlike that Christmas day in Bethlehem.
The Shepherds and the Magi did not come to gaze upon a baby like any other. We have not come here to see the statue of a baby in a crèche as we could see in any store window. We, like the Shepherds and Magi have come to encounter the Living God. We have not come here today only to look back two thousand years in history. We have come here because we have seen the signs of the Lord’s coming. We have heard of His presence among us. We have walked in darkness, but have now come to be enveloped in Light. We have come to encounter Emmanuel — God with us.
Today is Christmas. Today is born our savior, Christ the Lord (cf. Lk 2:11).
I take this occasion to wish you and your family and friends all the blessings of Christ’s Holy Nativity. May the joy that flooded the earth on the day of His birth overflow in our hearts, in our homes, and in our communities during this holy season and every day of the year. May the Prince of Peace bring back peace and prosperity to the world.
Fr. A. Francis HGN