The Nativity of the Lord: "The power of love"

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light"

Is 9: 1-6

Titus 2: 11 - 14

Lk 2: 1 - 14

Mass at Night: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122517-midnight.cfm

Not too long ago, in a line of cars waiting for a change in the traffic light, I spotted a bumper sticker on the back fender of the car in front of me and it struck me as a wonderful Christmas theme.  It read:

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there will be peace.”

For sure far more meaningful and inspiring than other things you often read from such stickers.  I thought, “Great homily opener.”  Our priestly brains often think in such terms. 

For we celebrate that moment when the power of the greatest love ever known, that of God himself, entered our human history in space and time, to express this overwhelming power of his love as he embraced our human nature, his own creation, in the person of his Son.  He did so, not only to reveal himself to us, an act of love certainly, but even more so to show us the way out of the mess of sin and darkness we had created.  We were lost and unable to pull ourselves out.  Human history had become punctured with division, hatred, separation, violence and the chosen children of Israel had wandered far away from the original Covenant God has established with them.  For centuries, the prophets had spoken of a time of future coming, of hope and healing, of mercy and forgiveness.  After centuries of silence, John the Baptist appeared on the scene and many were filled with immediate anticipation.  Still, when, who, and what would transpire was unexpected in the person of Jesus the Christ. 

His birth, not much particular concern frankly to the earliest of Christian converts who centered on his death and resurrection, became part of the story of his human life on this earth. God took on to himself a human nature. The point is that Jesus, the Word of God made human among us, offered us the proposition of a new way to be in this life.  We heard of a great promise offered to those who would accept it of eternal life through forgiveness and mercy, and this new way, Jesus’ model and his teaching, is continually offered to humanity today. 

How is power expressed in the world?  Where do we see its darkest influence: in dictatorships, in violence, in disrespect for life, in the use of finances to exploit the poor, in our own personal selfishness and pride.  These are ugly things yet they seem to show themselves more often the  more we separate ourselves from God. Of course a certain power can also do good if it is shared, limited, directed towards the good.  

Yet, love is seem in generosity, forgiveness. humility, compassion, self-sacrifice and in the good works of charity towards others, in particular towards the disadvantaged and needy among us.  It is that good, that power of love that Jesus came to offer to us as a higher moral standard, a right way to live and he presents himself as the ultimate model for humanity and its supreme teacher. 

In his Church we find his word, his sacramental life, his food in the Holy Eucharist, his call to sacrificial love so that we may put aside our love for power and replace it with the power of his love.  It is a great mystery both complex and simple.  To embrace it and to live by this power has potential to change the world that still sees darkness, hatred, violence and many problems.  God is good and merciful and so must we be the same. 

This Christmas, take some time to read a familiar modern “parable” below.  It was so popular that the late Paul Harvey would read this every year at this time on his radio show in the 1950’s.  The author of the story is the late Louis Cassels who wrote a column, “Religion in America,” for United Press International.  For more than 20 years he worked this column and this Christmas parable became instantly popular. Its message is beautiful and reminds us WHY God came.  So that his loving power would forever replace our lust for power.  In the new year, let go of desire for superiority and

submit as Mary and Joseph did, to the power of God’s eternal will. 

 A Christmas Parable

“Once upon a time there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn’t believe all that stuff about Incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did. “I am truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. “But I simply cannot understand this claim that God becomes man. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

On Christmas Eve his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them. “I’d feel like a hypocrite,” he explained. “I’d rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you.”

Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. “If we must have Christmas,” he thought, “it’s nice to have a white one.” He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another.

He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his living room window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the storm. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through his window. “I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,” he thought. “But how can I help them?” Then he remembered the barn where the children’s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter.

He put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in. “Food will lure them in,” he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - except into the warm lighted barn.

“They find me a strange and terrifying creature,” he said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety. . . .”

Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silent for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I do understand,” he whispered. “Now I see why you had to do it.”

Louis Cassells

If it wasn’t for your coming, we’d still be flopping in the snow outside.  You’ve shown us the way.

Peace to all . . . 

O God, who have made this most sacred night

radiant with the splendor of the true light, 

grant that we, who have known the mysteries

of his light on earth,

may also delight in his gladness in heaven. 

Who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.

(opening 

Collect for Mass at Night)