Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
[15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]
Holy Day and Holiday
This Christmas Eve, we are invited to think about the core of this event in it's very essence and mission. “Do not be afraid! Listen, I bring you glorious news of great joy which is for all the people. This very day, in David's town, a Savior has been born for you, He is Christ, the Lord" Luke 2:10-12.
Luke's message meets John's Gospel about the Logos, or word. "The word of God became a human being and lived among us" John 1:14.
More illustration is given by St. Paul when he speaks about God's love, humility and power in action. “For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his prerogatives as God's equal, but stripped himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as a mortal man. And having become man, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying” Philippians 2:6-8.
St. Irenaeus said, "God was incarnated as a human being to make man a god." This is what Christmas is in its essence.
The very word of Christmas refers to Criste messe, "Mass of Christ,” where Holy Eucharist is the focal event of the day. The word Mass derives from the Latin word missa, which is also the root of the word “mission.”
Celebrating Christmas by partaking of the Holy Eucharist makes the feast. It also carries a mission of Joy as it joins God's plan for humanity, which is first sung by the angelic choir. “Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill and hope for human beings" Luke 2:14.
Christmas becomes for us the feast of the Emmanuel, God with us, inviting us to always be with Him and for Him. As in old, let us keep the Eucharist as the focal event of the day. After meeting and receiving Christ through Communion, we can exchange the wishes for a Happy and Blessed Christmas allowing the holy day to make the holiday.
“Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in Him at all times” Philippians 4:4. Happy and Merry Christmas. Christ is born! Alleluia!