We can conclude from today’s readings that we have a faithful God, one who keeps His promises. It is with great joy that on this Christmas Eve, we open our hearts to receive again the joy of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Imagine the darkness and chaos that entered the world as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Nothing could have been more devastating- the great fall of man wrecking the plans of God for humanity- plans for communion with Him, pure harmony and happiness in all things. And in an instant, all is lost. The consequence of their disobedient fault was death, loss, separation from God- darkness. Surely Adam and Eve must have experienced severe regret, weeping for what they once had. Perhaps hopelessness engulfed them- they were now sent away from the paradise God had so freely and lovingly given to them.
However, as we know, the story does not end there. Even though undeserving, God Himself makes a covenant with His people, vowing to them He would send a Savior to forgive them and redeem them from their sins. God is a God of hope. He releases us from the darkness of sin and death. Now, we have the promise of light, new life- life in abundance through Jesus.
As Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit cries out in His canticle,
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.” (Luke 1:67-79)
As we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves.” At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission. Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man, “will save his people from their sins”. In Jesus, God recapitulates all of his history of salvation on behalf of men.” (430)
He could have chosen a million ways, but the way He chose was Himself- the Lord Jesus takes on our humanity to make us whole again. Zechariah speaks of the “tender compassion of our God,” and this is the truth! God breaks into our humanity through the womb of Our Blessed Mother Mary, He is born into a stable and laid in a manger among the animals, hidden on a hillside of Bethlehem. The first visitors are the lowly shepherds, then the Magi, who recognize His Kingship- prostrating themselves before the humble Savior. He comes as the innocent helpless baby- totally approachable and totally vulnerable, beckoning each of us to draw near to Himself so that we may embrace Him, with grateful acceptance of the gift of salvation, all while in awe of what God has done for us.
[Readings: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16; Lk 1:67-79]
[…] we need to reassure ourselves of this. We also need to set our minds and hearts on the faithfulness of God. Though moments of difficulties can be very painful, in hindsight, we will see how blessed we are […]