Christmas is a feast that demonstrates God’s love for us in a special way. The newborn child is the savior of the world. The purpose of God becoming human becomes clear as Jesus, the incarnate Son, willingly embarks on a journey that culminates in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The manger in Bethlehem finds its echo in the agony of the Garden of Gethsemane and, ultimately, in the crucifixion on Calvary.
The feast of St. John reminds us of the importance of believing in the divine act of love manifested during Christmas. In today’s Gospel, the disciple John witnesses the empty tomb of Jesus, a pivotal moment that symbolizes the resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s promise. He enters the empty tomb, saw, and believed.
Though the faith in the empty Tomb was strengthened by John’s encounter with the risen Lord, the event of the empty Tomb underscores the need for believers to trust in what God has done for them, not just during the resurrection but also in the miraculous incarnation that transpired on Christmas. Hence, the Apostle John tells us something even more specific at the end of his Gospel account: “Jesus did many other signs . . . that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
Incarnation
It is not easy to believe in the incarnation. Marcion, a theologian of the 2nd century writing about the Christmas Message, talks about the need to remove all the cribs and the unworthy diapers from our churches, because they do not correspond to the greatness of God. The mystery of Incarnation remains a mystery of love. The need to believe in what God has done at Christmas is rooted in recognizing this unparalleled act of love. The Christmas story echoes throughout history as a testament to God’s enduring love. The narrative of a humble birth in a stable, witnessed by shepherds and magi alike, symbolizes the universality of this divine love. It is a love that extends to the lowly and the wise. It breaks down barriers, and offers salvation to all who believe.
Surrender
The act of believing in what God has done at Christmas is not merely an intellectual exercise. It is a surrender to the transformative power of love. Thus, the birth of Jesus inaugurates a new era, marked by the reconciliation of humanity with its Creator, and among fellow humans.
In embracing the message of Christmas as one of great love. Believers are called to mirror this divine love in their own lives. The Christmas season becomes an opportune time for acts of kindness, compassion, and reconciliation—manifestations of the love that transcends time and space. I pray that we may come to a deep, lasting faith in the incarnation of Christ.
