Readings: Isaiah 52:7–10; Hebrews 1:1–6; John 1:1–18
A very happy Christmas to you all!
This great feast of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity teaches us three things today.
(The Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerard von Honthorst, 15th Century)
A very happy Christmas to you all!
Today, we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus. The great awaited day has come after a fruitful preparation of 'Advent'. Saviour is born to all. Jesus is amidst us, one among the humanity, shedding radiant light of heavenly presence here on earth. What a joy! What a peace! God's love is manifested very poignantly and permanently.
This great feast of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity teaches us three things today.
Firstly, Christmas is a celebration of a historical but defining event in the history of the world. The darkness has gone out of our lives through the radiant light of the heavenly Son. We celebrate every year the same event but always with unique and eloquently loving fervour. By His coming, Jesus sanctified us, brought salvation to his forlorn and directionless humanity. May be the Jesus' birth was a simple event in a complex of world of his times, but the little baby in a Bethlehem created uproars and tumult in the palace of Herod, awe among the shepherds who were keeping a close watch over their herds on the mountains and hills, brightness on the faces of magi of the East. For many still the brith of Jesus may be 'no' event at all, but in reality, this event still shakes up the powers of our rulers, riches of the haves and pride of the mighty. God shakes them up through His prophets and people.
Secondly, Christmas is the keeping the memory alive of that event of Christ's Incarnation in the world. The Son of God's entry into the messy world of human history opens up a new chapter for humanity. This calls us to keep this memory alive by meditating, reflecting and practicing what he preached. It's a call to follow him who was, who is and who will be.
Thirdly, Jesus is reborn in our hearts, homes, families, parishes and in the world today in concrete situations and particular places. Often, we are lost in the messy, complex and evil acts of this world, which threaten us to see Jesus alive and active; moreover, being born amidst us again and again. There is too much strife, war, evil acts in the world leaving no room for God's mercy, compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, love, justice and peace. We are called to create a world of God here on earth by practicing God's mercy, tenderness, compassion, love, forgiveness, justice and peace. It is not the peace and justice that the world gives but that of God. There is no peace without justice and no justice without love and forgiveness. Perhaps we might be able to do our little mite as Christians, as brothers and sisters and as "friends of the Lord."
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
Christmas Day 2019
1 comment:
Inspired.How wonderful it would be if I could get your article in the season of the theme that would have helped us rebirthing with Child Jesus? Thank you Father for pouring passion into everything you do.
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