THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD: MASS DURING THE DAY

Isaiah 52: 7-10

Psalm 97

Hebrews 1: 1-6

John 1: 1-18

BREAKING NEWS: GOD HAS BECOME MAN

Today we celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation: God has become man; Jesus is born. This is an old news but always a breaking Good News. The Eternal Word of God has been made flesh and he lives among us. God has become one of us so that by faith we may become children of God. From his fullness, we have received grace upon grace (John 1, 1-18).

In the little child lying in a manger at Bethlehem, we contemplate God. The invisible God has been made visible. Man can now touch God, hear God crying and being consoled. In this little child, God reveals and communicates his love and mercy to mankind (Heb. 1, 1-6).

Christmas, therefore, is not the celebration of the birthday of Jesus, where we will be adding a year to his age each time we celebrate Christmas. Otherwise, Jesus would be too old with time. Christmas is rather the celebration of God’s infinite and unfailing love for mankind; for by becoming man, the Eternal Son of God identifies himself with each one of us. He shares our human condition, our pain and joy, our misery. In this new born, God comes to live with us, to console us, to be our friends and walk the path of life with us. As the song goes: “Great things happen when God mixes with us, great and beautiful, wonderful things…”

And this is the Good News that is announced to us today: “How beautiful on the mountain, are the feet of one who brings good tidings, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation…” (Is. 52:7-10). This is the Good News we must carry to our world of fragile peace and broken promises. This is the good tiding announced to the world stricken by the covid-19 pandemic. This is the good tidings we must proclaim to our brothers and sisters through concrete and simple gestures of love, compassion, generosity and sharing, especially towards the poor, the sick, the marginalized and the vulnerable.

May this year’s Christmas bring you a breakthrough in whatever difficult situation you may find yourself. Moreover, amidst the many controversies about the anti-Covid vaccine, my Christmas best wish is that each one of us may receive a special vaccine: the vaccine of hope and grace. And may the Infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace, grant peace and healing to our world. Amen.

Merry Christmas !!