"The Nativity of the Lord," 2022 - God arrives!

 

"For unto us a child is born"

Luke 2: 1-14

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122522-night.cfm

C.S. Lewis, one of the most noted Christian authors of the 20^th century, writes:

“Jesus entered the world anonymously and clandestinely. He was born to parents in an out of the way corner of the Roman Empire because he was a warrior compelled to slip behind enemy lines."

“The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of earth — the very thing the whole story has been about.” (From an interview)

To speak of enemy lines and warriors at Christmas time may seem strange words to use in this season of peace, love and brotherhood. But here Lewis places Jesus’ birth within the countless events since the creation of the universe! -that’s quite a claim and one that demands some reflection.

“The central event in the history of the earth.” This implies that no war, no nation whether ancient or new, no hero, no piece of music or work of art, no sports figure, no scientific achievement, no work of literature, no political leader or royal person have had an effect on creation as much as Jesus Christ.

It begs the question we all need to ask ourselves: Is Christ the central focus of my life?  Is he truly Lord and Savior for me or have I turned this holiday season in to nothing more than a momentary joy in the darkness of winter? Is Jesus Christ the central figure (event) of all my life? Yet, who doesn’t like the shining lights, the gift giving, smiling children, the singing of carols and decorations that appear only once each year?

The Jesus of the early Christians as the Bible presents him, and the Jesus of this modern age of science and technology seem divorced from each other. The early Christians understood who Caesar Augustus was. Luke begins his narrative: "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered . . ." (Lk 2: 1).

And so, the event begins. The early followers of Jesus knew of Caesar Augustus and his ruthless pagan rule.  They lived in the midst of persecution with a desperate desire to follow the new way the Apostles promised them through faith in Jesus Christ who for them was a warrior, a king sent by the God from God, and ultimately Lord of their lives and the entire universe. The one who would not be overcome by the mighty Caesar or any other earthly ruler but who would establish his own kingdom of love and peace.  

But today that same Jesus for so many in our modern age of fierce independence, freedom of expression, subjective morality, and clear effort to sideline the Christian Gospel and those who live by it, has been separated from the Christmas message and reduced to a season of good behavior and generous giving. In itself, that is good of course but it is not the God of the Bible and particularly, it is not the Christmas story as the scripture teach us.

If the coming of Jesus is the central event of history, then he would need to have been far more than a wise teacher or a Santa Claus-like figure. The one who claimed to be the Way, the Truth and the Life, needs to be a warrior and he needs to be strong, the mighty one who can reclaim his broken and wounded creation and to set it free from the power of the evil one. He is the Bread of Life; the Master and servant, and he would exercise domination over the dark power of evil demons and confront the righteous not with force and fear but with love and mercy. And we, humanity, are the prize that has been forever won and redeemed and rescued by him. 

The core message of the Gospel, the Kerygma, the essential theme of which is that God came to us out of love because this is what true love does; it wills the good of the other. God is love who wills our good: that we not be lost and that his creation, captured and tainted by the power of Satan and evil, be reclaimed and rescued by him.  This is what God has done about the “messed up” world in which we found ourselves floundering with no means of hope; it is how we can still find hope in a broken world.

The Savior came in Jesus, undercover as it were in human nature, to sabotage the dark designs that Satan inflicted on God’s creation where sin and death was the ultimate triumph until Jesus was born and eternal hope entered the world.  Now, death is not the final word nor do we have reason for despair.  God brought mercy into the world, his forgiveness and gave us a fighting chance to continue his mission.  Christmas, therefore, is the beginning of a new creation and it is truly the central event of all history. Without the coming of Christ, humankind and all of creation would be lost.

So, beginning this Christmas allow yourself to be transformed by the power of this good news. Begin with the Holy Eucharist and renew your commitment to give to God rightful worship by weekly attendance at Mass all year long as the foundation of your Catholic life especially in your families. This is how we live as Catholic-Christians. Respond to the opportunities for love each day and step outside yourself to express Christ’s love to others. Reconcile with anyone you may feel has hurt you. Let it go.

As you receive this king in the Holy Eucharist, unite yourself to all like believers and move him now to the center stage of your life in his community of the Church, his Body. 

This Christmas and beyond know that Jesus Christ has crushed death and sin, Satan and hell, and lives in you and wants to use you. Share the Gospel with joy, love, and confidence and renew your hope which brings the Lord front and center in your life, your family, your marriage, your education, your social and private life.  He wants to be in all those places for he’s madly in love with you!

For in the mystery of the Word made flesh

a new light of your glory has shone

upon the eyes of our mind,

so that, as we recognize in him God make visible,

we may be caught up through

him in love of things invisible.

(Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I)