Christmas

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Scripture: Lectionary #14. Christmas Mass at Midnight: Isaiah 9:1-6. Psalm 96:1-2.2-3.11-12. 13. Luke 2:1-14.

"There was no room for him in the inn." (Luke 2: 7c). In our hearts there is plenty of room for the child who is now wrapped in swaddling clothes. We will need to carefully unwrap those bonds in order to have our hearts to hold him.  We have prepared ourselves for this moment throughout all of Advent and we are joyful that the time has arrived for us to enjoy the child born of Mary and guarded by the ever faithful Joseph.  They are models for us on how to keep our hearts open for they both have pondered over many times the depth of this mystery of their child born of Mary the virgin through the overshadowing of the power of God, the Holy Spirit.  We know well that "nothing is impossible for God" and this event surely makes that real for us.

Our own living faith, hope, and love have developed over the years into a meaningful thankful heart ready to welcome the new born babe.  Baptism enabled this to happen within us and this will continue as we live on to celebrate this feast of Christ's birth in the future.

We rejoice because Jesus is always with us as our Emmanuel (God with us).  He has been born again this year on this Christmas Day. We unite ourselves with Mary and Joseph to enjoy their love for the child which is beyond all telling.

Luke has given us the historical memory of the first Christmas in today's Gospel, and his narrative has come alive through music, art, crèches, and prayer.  Jesus is wrapped in the flesh fibers of our hearts and we no longer live in fear or anxiety. The Prince of Peace is among us and we experience what the shepherds experienced in that year of Caesar Augustus.  Bethlehem now represents our hearts and it is there in the "House of Bread" that Jesus dwells within our hearts.

A Savior has been born for us in David's city who is Christ the Lord. All the world has waited for this moment:

"Age to age is waiting in steadfast hope.  Come again, Lord Jesus, make the earth your home. Let your love surround us; drive the dark away. Visit your people who have longed for your day."

God's peace rests on those whom he has chosen in accord with his good pleasure.  We may wish to meditate on the FOUR possible translations of Luke 2:14:

            Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

            Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom    he is pleased.

            Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his         favor rests.

            Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those         whom he favors.

            Amen! Amen! Alleluia!