HOMILY FOR THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD. MASS DURING THE DAY AT CHRISTMAS
HOMILY THEME:Â JESUS HAS BROUGHT US SALVATION!
BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike CM
It’s Christmas! Joy to the world the Lord has come.
Long time ago the prophecy of Gods SALVATION to humanity has been given, and as years passed by, our forefathers longed for this salvation to be fulfilled.
Today in the prophecy of Isaiah we hear Isaiah prophesying to the children of Israel that the end to their pains and isolation has come. This was first, of the release of the Jews from captivity in Babylon; and, secondly, of the redemption and salvation of mankind by the Messiah (Isaiah 52, 7).
And so he declared that “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (52, 10b).
The salvation that Yahweh offers is not limited to Israel or Judah, but involves “the ends of the earth.”
Later, we will see the early church struggling over the proper role of Gentiles in the church. However, in verses such as this, the Old Testament gives notice that God is concerned for both Jews and Gentiles—for “all the ends of the earth”, (you and i).
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The psalmist also lends his voice today to declare that “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Ps. 98, 3).
In the second reading of today, St. Paul took time to explain the depth and significance of this salvation wrought by God to his people. He began by analyzing how in the past God had begun this process of saving his children, and how finally he has gotten a better and most suitable figure of salvation in the person of his only begotten son- Jesus Christ (Heb 1, 1-6). St. John in the Gospel describes this JESUS as God himself, (Jn 1, 1) who has come into our world in the form of a man, in other to be the light shining in the world to illumine the paths of men and women. By this he came to sanctify and share in our humanity so that we may in turn share in his divinity.
This light as John explains is so strong as to protect humanity from every form of stubborn darkness (evil). Of course, “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it” (Jn 1, 5).
As we witness yet another season of Christmas, let us count ourselves as people saved by grace and rejoice in our God who saves us. May this Christmas bring to you and your family Gods peace and choicest blessings.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
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