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Friday, Dec. 22, 2023

“Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

This is the joyful proclamation of the Good News. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. The only begotten Son of God was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary and took human flesh to dwell among us. In the mystery of the incarnation, the love of God came down upon us and gave us his most perfect gift – Jesus, the Emmanuel, which means God is with us.

Pope Francis, in his recent book on the Nativity, wrote, “The Nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realize that so great is his love for us that he became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with him.”

The birth of Jesus, “the Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, and Almighty God” (Isaiah 9:6-7) is the fulfilment of God’s promise of salvation and divine plan for us. He came to bring light to dispel the darkness of sin, as well as healing and reconciliation in our sinful and polarized world. It is a source of hope, joy and gladness. However, many might find it difficult and challenging to celebrate amid the looming darkness, suffering and miseries of the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized and those traumatized by the violence of war, senseless deaths, global displacement of the migrants and refugees and other forms of injustices.

But this is the beautiful message of Christmas. It is all about God, who comes to be with us in Jesus Christ, who shows us the way to reconciliation and communion with him and with each other. He comes to renew all things and to usher the dawn of a new creation, a world of justice, love and peace where we all dare to live again in unity, equality and social fraternity as one, God’s family, and as brothers and sisters to one another.

Christmas restores hope to our weary world as Christ shares his reconciling grace and continues to manifest his abiding, loving and saving presence in our midst. Let us contemplate the wonder and awe of what God has done for us, recall the words of the angels to the shepherds tending their sheep that night, and share the glad tidings of joy and peace to one another and to the world: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy for all the people. For today in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ and Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Prayerful wishes of a blessed and Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year, too!