Christmas Homily - A Child Delights in Us
Shhh! Emmanuel, God is with us, rests quietly this morning in the manger. A new born child will reshape our behavior with his teachings. We are quieter than usual. We tip toe around the holy scene so as not to disturb Jesus. We lower our voices out of respect for the newborn child’s need for rest. Today, we look with tender love on this boy. This baby, Jesus, enthralls us like all little children do. We quietly stare with wonder at this miracle - the miracle of God in human form. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, come let us adore him….”
This morning we heard how the shepherds “went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.” Like the shepherds, we too look in upon this scene “…glorifying and praising God for all [we] have heard and seen [in our hearts’ imaginations].”
Imagine, Jesus is born for you and me…born for us! Imagine that! Here is God with a human face in the person we call Jesus. God is not just in the heavens…distant and unseen. No, God shares our humanity by beginning life like the rest of us - as a sweet baby. God comes to us as a fragile, tender baby. Amazing, isn’t it?
Our readings are bathed with words of unbelievable beauty. Last night the Prophet Isaiah reminded us that we “have seen a great light.” This light brings us “abundant joy and great rejoicing.” Angels we have heard on high announcing the birth of Jesus. We share this joy today with our family and friends…and with one another as a community of faith. Joy to the world!
Isaiah gives voice to this joy by saying we “…shall be called…holy people.” The prophet has the audacity to name us as a holy people. “… Not because of any righteous deeds we have done but because of his mercy.” Our God loves us with a generosity we cannot imagine.
Psalm 97 also gives voice to the joy of this day by reminding us that “the heavens proclaim his justice and all peoples see his glory.” The entire universe sings of the glory of God. It “exults” - it expresses great jubilation through angelic voices as they sing the praise “Glory to God in the highest!” Glory indeed.
Yes, today we hear “good news of great joy.” Luke’s Gospel reveals to us that the kingdom of God is first revealed to the lowly…shepherds… people of no account. Today’s Gospel passage reminds us of the poverty of Mary and Joseph. They come to over-crowded Bethlehem from the countryside. They are just two more people who are looking for someplace to stay. The crushing crowds had already filled the inns. So they receive leftover lodging in a humble stable built to house animals. It is here that Mary gives birth in a place that speaks of vulnerability and low social status.
And when Jesus is born, the shepherds find “…the infant lying in a manger,” a place where animals are fed. Our sweet Jesus, our Wonder- Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace, begins life in great humility. The whole Christmas story reeks of the poverty of God. He humbles himself to become one of us - to take on human flesh and bone. Even at birth, our Lord has no place to lay his head except in an animal’s feeding trough.
The first announcement of Jesus’ birth startles not the rich and famous, but poor, illiterate shepherds who “quake at the sight.” These men are far from places of honor. They wander hills and valleys with their flocks. They stand guard at night against the dangers that lurk in the shadows. While the rest of civilization live in towns and villages, they too have no place to lay their heads except on stoney ground.
Jesus’ mission in life is to minister to people like the shepherds. The Gospels will remind us that Jesus’ entire life was in service to the outcast…prostitutes, deformed lepers, sick men and women. The baby Jesus will not abandon his humble beginnings. While he had crowds who followed him, he never allowed that adulation to sway him from his mission. And the mission was to honor his Father by proclaiming the Good News of “peace to those on whom his favor rests”.
The angels were proclaiming to the shepherds a radical peace…not the kind of peace the Roman empire gave. Nor do they announce the kind peace America gives us. This kind of peace expresses a false calm and security based on power. The peace of Christ is radically different. Pax Christi is not just the absence of strife but the presence of compassion and forgiveness. Christ’s peace is built on, as Titus wrote, “…kindness and generous love of God…”
Christ’s peace is the very foundation of the kingdom of God. Christ’s peace is a loving perseverance that blesses reconciliation and healing. Christ’s peace is celebrated in mutual respect and generosity. And how does one come to enjoy this peace the Gospels promise? It is the same thing the Christmas story emphasizes: humility, poverty of spirit and compassion toward others - especially the poor!
The world’s definition of peace only agitates and disturbs our spirit. Christ’s peace is meant to calm and soothe us. Peace is a gift from our Lord Jesus: “My peace is my farewell to you, my peace is my gift to you.” This is Christ’s ultimate Christmas gift to us - his peace. Surely this kind of peace should cause us to sing, Joy to the world…let every heart prepare him room.
Jesus, who humbly began life in a feeding trough, will in a few moments become our heavenly food on this banquet table. How blessed we are to receive the peace of God in the Eucharist that sustains and nourishes us. Today, is a day of rejoicing as we recall the words of a glorious Christmas hymn: Joyful all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Heaven has come down to earth. Earth has been lifted up to heaven. God’s love makes all of this possible! Oh, the joy and promise of Christmas. By the way we live our lives may we go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and every where; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. Shhh! Emmanuel - God is with us! He rests over there…and in our hearts. On behalf of Fr. Tim, Fr. Clement, and the staff at Sacred Heart, we wish you a blessed Christmas. May the Lord give us peace! Amen.
Dcn. Terry Barber
