Christmas - Making History in the Heart of Humanity

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Vigil Mass: December 24, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25

Icon of Nativity
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/blrSevl9Pb4

What is it that makes us so excited about Christmas? Certainly, it is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. An event that took place 2000 years ago still continues to fascinate us. It is an event that changed the course of history. It changed the global setting. It infused new life into the world, created a new culture and formed a new civilization. It is called Christian civilization. The fact of the birth of Jesus Christ, the God-man, has certainly changed the world forever. In fact, it continues to change and transform the world. The event of Jesus continues to shape and renew the lives of people of all ages. It is determental factor that the world continues to see holy men and women from so many countries dedicating their lives exclusively for the service of God and humanity. Therefore, Christmas is nothing but celebrating the life of a man who not only made history in the heart of humanity but continues to remake history through their lives as well. 

1. Christmas: Infuses newness and freshness

One of the beautiful blessings this Christmas brings to us is an understanding of how God continues to love us. In other words, we feel God's closeness and proximity to us. God is not someone distant and faraway. A God who is not bothered about us. In fact, the very feeling of this great feast is that God continues to shape our lives and the world with so many global and personal events. God enters our lives in either a big or small way, yet it brings us a promise of hope and the possibility that we are all made for God.

One of the characteristics of a modern man is being skeptical. The fearful and anxiety-filled world does not allow us to believe even in ourselves and in our capabilities. We doubt about the state of ourselves, our families, our country, our church and even our world as well. That is why there are so many wars going on in the world between countries and within countries among various groups and tribes. Just like Joseph, we too doubt about the capacity of God for us. However, unknowingly, God comes into our lives like Joseph in his dream, giving us strength and courage, which makes us faithful to God. Because God is with us; Emmanuel is with us. God continues to dream with us and for us, infusing newness and freshness. 

2. Christmas: Retelling the story of Jesus with a purpose

The celebration of the birth of Jesus continues to fascinate us with a purpose. The story of the baby child in a manger in Bethlehem is told and retold. This story continues to make headlines each year. We continue to celebrate this event in our Churches and families. Just as Joseph experienced that great love and hope soon after the visitation by the angel, it continues to drive us to do our part. That is to participate in the mystery of the life of the Son of God, Jesus our Lord. It is with a purpose.  We are called to be supporters of our Lord, to walk in his footsteps as close disciples. 

The retelling of the story of Bethlehem brings us closer to the person of Jesus and to his people. With Joseph, we too become listeners of the Word of God. We extend our mercy and compassion to others. We open our homes and hands to those people in need. We are ready to walk with others to wipe the tears and bring healing to those who are looking to us so much. We are called to be little messiahs to our people, just as the scripture says, " Let every tear be wiped away." In the world of suffering and death, thus we may bring solace and life, and where there are painful episodes, God's tender loving care and joy. 

3. Christmas: History repeats with a hope that we learn

The event that we commemorate today is of historical nature. We honour the history and legacy of our Lord Jesus. We honour all that Mary, the mother, Joseph, the foster father, the angels, and the companions of hope to the couple went through and celebrated together. From a painful, not-so-ready world to accept the needy Mary and Joseph, we continue to learn that God knows how best to care for us. No place in the Inn or in the house, yet God provides even a manger; the animals are no doubt constant companions of humanity. They are the solace to the new mother and the child.

God knows how to write history. Perhaps not always in straight lines. God knows the best for us. At times, it might be difficult and tough, yet He shows the way, the best way possible. He knows to preserve our lives not only for now but for eternity. The story of Bethlehem continues to teach us from generation to generation that God never lets us down. He uplifts us as long as we are faithful to him. Risks are necessary, and they must be taken. When things may not always be comfortable and beautiful, yet even in disturbances, discomfort and ugliness, God's blessings remain with us to make and remake us. 

Questions for self-reflection

1. How can I make this Christmas meaningful and joyful?
2. In what way would I like to share the joy of Christmas with others?
3. What lessons can I learn from the lives of Mary and Joseph?

Prayer

Loving God, on this holy day of Christmas, we thank You for the quiet miracle of Your Son born among us. In the fragile Child of Bethlehem, teach us humility, compassion, and hope. May His light soften our hearts, heal our divisions, and draw us closer to one another. Help us to welcome Christ not only in word and celebration, but in our daily choices of love and mercy. We offer You our gratitude, our joy, and our lives. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. 

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

22 December 2025

Emmanuel — Opening to the Reality of God with us

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 7:10–14; Psalm 24:1–6; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–24

The Annunciation of Mary by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/FdMynMqrmZQ 

What a beautiful expression about God that we have in this Advent Season: Emmanuel—God with us! He is with us even before we came into this world. He continues to accompany us in every day of our lives, both in our joys and sorrows, struggles and strengths. As we enter into the fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings invite us to experience the presence of God with us, around us and in us. God continues to surprise us with His presence in spite of our unknowability of him in its fullest reality.  What we know about God is very little, and it is through other creatures. The world cannot run automatically or preplanned. Therefore, there should be someone who is overseeing this whole creation, all that exists and all that moves. In this context, the Advent experience becomes meaningful and fruitful. 

1. The enchanting experience of God with us

As Advent draws to its quiet climax, the Gospel does not place us in a crowded stable or before singing angels, but in the interior world of one man—Joseph. The Gospel writer St Matthew 1:18–24 invites us to contemplate a faith that listens in silence, trusts without full understanding, and acts with courage. At the heart of this Gospel echoes a single name, repeated like a gentle refrain: Emmanuel—God with us.

Faith in Question - Believing in the Right Choice

Third Sunday of Advent: December 14, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 35:1–6, 10; Psalm 146:6–10; James 5:7–10; Matthew 11:2–11

Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7Ae2Ra9IJJ4

What is the factor that determines certainty? How can we be certain when someone says something that looks a bit strange or unusual? Today, fact-checking is becoming more common in the media as fake stories and narratives proliferate. There are fraudsters who often deceive those they perceive as "intelligent," "smart," and those in positions by sending links to their mobile devices via WhatsApp, SMS, or email. Many believe in these silly and most stupid things. You may not believe the person who is sitting next to you or your own colleague, but you cultivate such faith in an unknown person who is sitting somewhere else and sending fake messages, and you simply fall for that person. This issue of fact-checking is not just of today; even during the time of Jesus, people were using this element of ascertaining.  We see in the liturgical readings of today, especially in the Gospel, that John the Baptist, even while sitting in prison, wants to ensure that Jesus, who is becoming a popular figure, is the right one about whom he was preaching.

1. From doubt to certainty - Believing in the right one

In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 11:2–11, we see John the Baptist sitting in a dark prison cell. The prophet who once stood in the desert with fire in his voice is now surrounded by silence and uncertainty. From this place of confinement, a question rises from his heart regarding the person of Jesus about whom he has been preaching for long: “Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  Absolutely, a striking moment. The greatest prophet, the fearless spokesperson of the Messiah, now experiences the ache of doubt. 

Advent - Finding Desert and Rivers of our Lives

Second Sunday in Advent: December 07, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17; Romans 15:4–9; Matthew 3:1–12

St John the Baptist preaching painting by Mattia Preti

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:  https://youtu.be/Tf8EmXSNPT4 

            Prophets are the men of God who listen to the voice of God. They do not speak for themselves, but for God. They are men of courage and resilience. Nothing can stop them from doing what they are supposed to do. They speak directly and boldly. Their strength is God. The worldly authority, power, wealth, honour and prestige do not touch them, because their focus is on doing God's will in their lives. There are prophets even today, but we find it difficult to recognize or listen to them. We are ready to listen to the non-prophets who exercise power and authority. As a result, we lose sight of such precious gems in our society and world. As we enter into the Second Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings prepare us boldly to embrace more of God and less of worldly things. Even though the Advent candle may be lit with a theme of "peace," the prophets Isaiah and St John the Baptist ask us to embrace peace with justice, thus straightening our lives.

1. Advent: Looking for spaces of renewal

In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 3:1-12, we see John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness with a special message to the Israelites. He preaches in the desert of Judea, which also offered the solace of the river Jordan. The desert is not a lonely place. There is a voice of God. In such a place, St John is preaching and praying for the repentance of his people. In our busy schedule, when we get engrossed in too much noise and distractions, we must find solace in such places of the desert or the River Jordan.