Christmas Mass, Dec.25, 2006

Scripture:Isaiah 9:1-6. Psalm 96:1-3,11-13. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-14 "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; they name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father forever, Prince of Peace." These prophetic words of the great temple prophet and voice of Advent--Isaiah are being fulfilled this day in Jesus who is born of Mary the Virgin of Nazareth in the town of Bethlehem. Words are important in Scripture but even more important are the events they signify. Isaiah's words lead us to those of St. Luke where he tells of the greatest event in the history of humankind. He proclaims it to the whole world and tells us it happens during the time of the emperor Caesar Augustus. This was a time of relative peace, the famous Pax Romana. Luke intentionally wants us to know of the universalism and the effectiveness of this birth of Christ Jesus, for it is the event of a Savior breaking into history and making it sacred. The effects of his birth change the whole history of planet earth and have effected everyone who lived before that event to those living after it. Today we reflect upon those who actually experienced this historical moment. Luke has the shepherds coming to find the newborn Savior ina manger. The child is wrapped in swaddling clothes for there was no room for them in the inn where it was warm. The liturgy continues the experience by proclaiming to us in the Psalm response: "Today is born our Savior Christ the Lord." In the second reading from the epistle of Titus we realize that we believers in this event have had our lives changed for the better and we are encouraged to keep progressing in the newlife given to us by this newborn child of Mary. Yes, all of the Scriptures today help us to focus not on words but on the events that speak of the birth of the Messiah which has everlasting significance. Jesus, however, like us is born in time and is as real historically as you or I. And for me, today, as a Catholic/Christian believer, this event has had a profound impact on my life and the way I choose to live it. My attitudes and behavior patterns are attempts to be in tune with the significance of this birth of Jesus each day of my life. For me, Christ is the center of time--always the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end of the created universe. The Word is the redeemer of all who ever lived and are living on this earth. My gratitude for being redeemed through this birth and life and death of the Savior is a gift of grace. In the end all that we experience in view of Christ is grace. Finally, on this day, I am led to the Gospel that had been used in every Mass before Vatican II and now is used in the final Mass on this Christmas Day: AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US (John 1:14). Come, let us adore him. Venite adoremus Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.