The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. God becomes man that one day man become like God.
A homily from the Christmas day based on readings from
Isaiah 9:1-6 Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14
These readings are available at the USCCB website.
Merry Christmas! We began Advent at the beginning of the month by watching, by repenting, by seeing that we both needed and were awaiting a messiah, and the that our messiah is none other than God himself. Today our wait is over. Today, a savior has been born for us! Today the Word, Jesus Christ, becomes man! What an event to celebrate!
As we celebrate our Mass this morning, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our guests this morning. I see quite a few new faces and I am so glad that you are here this morning. Our worship of God is so much more complete because you have joined us!
Every year, we relive this wonderful event. In a little cave in a little town in Palestine today was born a little boy. Born to poor parents journeying far from their home under conditions that were so much less than ideal, Jesus whose very name means “God Saves” comes to us. He doesn’t come in power or majesty – which by the way he could have done, but rather he condescends to come to us as one of the lowly.
And this changes everything! The Word becomes flesh and all humanity for all time is joined in a mystical way to God. Through our baptisms and our reception of him in Holy Communion we all become one body – one family in Christ.
Today, a savior has been born for us! God’s plan from the beginning of time reaches a whole new level in Jesus Christ. You see, God has a plan, and Jesus has a plan for your life. A plan that is better than anything we can manage on our own. Today, a savior has been born for us! While we were still sinners, when we deserved condemnation for our sins the a savior is born in God’s divine plan. That is how great God’s love is for us. All we need to do is respond, to repent of our old ways and follow his ways. All we need to do is leave behind our own plans and upgrade our lives to follow God’s plan for us. We can become more Christ-like, more godly. A savior has been born for us! God became man that we might become more like God. God became man that we – all of us might be united to him for eternity! Such a blessed exchange!
This is truly good news, wherever we are on our live’s journey. Many here this morning have been devoting themselves heart and soul to follow our Lord. Many here this morning are still seeking. Many here this morning are seeking answers to some very hard questions. Some here this morning are struggling, and it is a real challenge to struggle when everyone around you is celebrating. Whatever description fits you, devout, seeking, struggling, and everything in between, please know this morning that the Word became flesh to make everything better. The Word became flesh out of a deep, abiding love for you – who you are right now. If you change nothing in your life today, God loves you intensely. But if you do decide to make Jesus a bigger part of your life, you will see abundant blessing!
Today is the day, a day of unparalleled joy. Today, a savior has been born for us! The long-awaited Messiah has come our love for each one of us. It is indeed a merry Christmas! Let us each reflect the joy that comes from Jesus in everything we do! Merry, merry Christmas, one and all!
“Let us each reflect the joy that comes from Jesus in everything we do! Merry Christmas!”