1st Reading: Isaiah 9: 2-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
Homily: Vince Cushing (from notes taken)
As we gather tonight…in the Holy Spirit and deep heartfelt prayer, we do so in a world that is wounded (full of chaos and pain)…yet we know…Jesus came among us and brought the future, healing, freedom, and resurrection. Our minds turn to that evening many centuries ago in a distant land when the history of our world changed dramatically. A bright star, shepherds, a poor young couple praying for the safe delivery of their child…Little did they know that moment would be everlasting, reaching beyond time to tonight.
God entered our world. We are forever God’s beloved people; God brings us life and life to the world – with all its beauty and pain. As Christians, we are aware of all the gifts given to us. First, Jesus is God’s gift to us as people – with a message he will bring new life. Second, the birth of our Lord Jesus has radically changed the history of this world. It’s important to say this: Jesus is both really human and really divine. He’s God’s gift – the human face of God who brings us God’s life and mercy. God’s message to us is written in the grammar of a human life.
The incarnation of Christ continues in us because we are “other Christs” – we have been baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit with the life and mission of Jesus. Because we are called to that mission and we are “other Christs,” we need to actively embrace the full ministry and mission of Christ.
We must look at Jesus’ impact on his world and day. He brought new life – calling forth Lazarus who seemed to be dead. Jesus also healed the sick which says to us – we are called to be a healing people. Jesus helped the blind to see…the light of God guides and enlightens us to share the simple Gospel of a devoted life. Jesus helped the mute to speak – and we can (do the same) because we are the spokespersons for God in the arenas in which we live. We can be a people who change the atmosphere of the world we live in.
Pope Francis calls upon us in a new way not previously heard in our church. Go among the blind, mute, dead, and bring them the Word and Life of Christ. When Francis was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, he went out into the shantytowns and picked through the garbage with others who were doing the same. Go among others so you can be open to their difficulties and pain. Francis also is concerned with the very poor and immigrants. We are challenged to be Jesus’ presence in the broken world we live in.
In doing this – listening to Jesus and following the way of our Lord – we become more human: we care, listen, help, heal, redeem – another Christ born again in the history of our time.
St. Irinaeus of Lyon said the Glory of God is the human person fully alive. Tonight, we celebrate the Gift: the Lord Jesus then, the Lord Jesus now. We thank God we should have such a splendid friend in our lives.
Meditation: A Collection of Thoughts on the Joy and Promise of a Child
A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
I always loved being pregnant at Christmas time. It made me feel the Bethlehem story in a special way – full of Mary’s joy, hopes, and fears and grateful for a loving, caring spouse traveling with me on my journey. The fullness of pregnancy overwhelms with its unknowns, but the anticipation of bringing a new child into the world is Christmas gift extraordinaire! Pregnant with hope, grateful for God’s loving gifts.
Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.
A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.
How does this happen? A birthing room with the pregnant woman, some family and two medical staff – five in all. Suddenly there appears an infant, breathing, crying, being wrapped up – Now there are six in the room. And life will never be the same. What joy!
Babies are such a nice way to start people.
Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility.
Babies are like little suns that, in a magical way, bring warmth, happiness and light into our lives.