HOMILY FOR CHRISTMAS DAY YEAR A.
THEME: The Light that Christmas Brings.
BY: Fr. Luke Ijezie.
Isaiah 52:7-10
Resp. Psalm: 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
Gospel: John 1:1-18
The birth of Jesus at Christmas is celebrated as the coming of Light. As a matter of fact, Light plays many roles in our life. Central to all these is the idea that Light comes to abolish darkness. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Whenever the light comes, darkness vanishes. This is true of every form of light, whether physical light or spiritual light.
The Gospel of John presents Christ at the very beginning of the Gospel as the Light shining in the darkness. This light is not only the life of human beings, it is the Word of God. It is this Word that is born in Bethlehem at Christmas.
This word is not an ordinary word. The Letter to the Hebrews makes it clear that this Word is the reflection of all that God is. He is the radiance of God, the very synthesis of God. Yes, He is the logos of God, the only interpreter of the Godhead.
This word is given to us human beings to illumine our way so that we can discover the path to true life. The word that is Christ teaches us how to be human, how to love and and how to find peace in a world mired in the darkness of conflicts, hatred, violence and warfare.
RELATED: HOMILY CHRISTMAS YEAR A.
The first reading of today from Isa 52:7-10 presents peace and salvation as the great gifts that God brings to His people as He returns to dwell in their midst. We are all invited to join in becoming heralds of peace and good tidings and not heralds of terror and hate messages. The beautiful Isaian text rings: “How beautiful on the mountains are feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is King'” (52:7). This is, no doubt, one of the most beautiful readings of Christmas. It reminds us that we must let the light of Christ shine by being heralds of peace and good news just as John the Baptist witnessed to the light.
Christmas should not just be a recalling of an event that happened over two thousand years ago. More than that, it must be a reality in our lives. It must happen in our daily lives.
Christmas happens anew when we let the light of Christ guide our relationships. Christmas happens in us when we allow peace and love to reign in our hearts and not bitternessand spirit of vengeance. Christmas happens in our relationships when we become transmitters of joy and ever ready to come to the help of all who need our help. Yes, Christmas is a special period, a wonderful period for us human beings to learn how to be human by letting ourselves get constantly illumined by the light of Christ. I just imagined the ancient philosopher who took a lantern going about to in search of a real man. The idea of using the light to search for an imaginary real man is instructive. Christ himself is the light that guides us to become the true man, the new humanity, the new family of God, the joyful society where, as the Psalmist of Psalm 85:10-13 dreams, mercy and truth meet together; where righteousness and peace embrace; where truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven; where the LORD will continue to give what is good; and our land will continue to yield its increase.
I pray that Christmas may continue to happen in our hearts and in our families with all its abundant blessings! Happy Christmas, dear friends!
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