Homily for Christmas, 2009

My sisters & brothers, how do we respond to the love God expresses in the birth of Jesus?

Our Gospel tonight is the Nativity story and Luke is concerned to place Jesus in the time-line of history, as a real human being; placing his berth in the context of major event. It is possible that Judea was included in a census of 8-7 BC, “the first registration.” From Matthew we know that Herod the Great sought to kill Jesus by slaughtering all children aged two or less. Because Herod died in 4 BC, Jesus was born no later than 6 BC. The dating between Luke and Matthew is pretty close considering that birth records were not kept in those days.

Jesus is treated like any other newborn of the time: he is wrapped in cloths, but there may be a message in his being born in “a manger” and there are many interpretations circulating among Christian writers. At the very least it testifies to the low statues of Jesus’ family. Luke moves on to underline the point by describing the lowly shepherds as being the only ones who the pronouncement by the angels.

Traditionally, the Christian feast day we refer to as Christmas is also call “The Incarnation,” i.e., God entering human flesh in the person Jesus. It reflects the Christological doctrine that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Mary is God’s chosen assistant, for this blessed union of God and humanity.

There is a modern Christmas hymn by Peter McCann called “The Star” which puts it beautifully. The lyrics can be found here.

In this hymn, we see a poetic description for what incarnation means. The all powerful Creator takes on the experience of human vulnerability. A helpless child of poor travelers, yet with greater potential than any would guess.
If one is open to God and seeking goodness in life then Jesus’ simple birth can bring a spiritual light to your very soul.

My sisters and brothers, the bottom line of the Christmas story is a question of faith: “will you embrace the belief that God loves you enough to share your human pains and joys? That is, in Jesus the Christ, God will bring you healing & renewed life – if you accept it. This is the core message of the Christmas mystery!