Christmas Homily
It is Christmas morning! Fr. Curtis and Fr. Greg are concelebrating the Christmas liturgy. Standing at the ambo, Fr. Curtis looks out at his congregation seeing all the familiar faces: Chip and Dale, Jack and Jill with their kids, Charles and Sally, Carl and Steve, and the twins, Tom and Jerry. Hilda and Lori are there as well. With a big smile and with open arms, he says, “Merry Christmas, I love you all!” Just about everyone in the congregation extend their hands toward their priests, mouthing Merry Christmas! From the back row, Wally shouts, “What is so great? There is war in Israel and Ukraine, for the past few days there have been antisemitism rallies throughout the country, people are shooting and robbing each other. Just what is so great? Where is all the peace? Many people can’t afford a traditional Christmas dinner this year. I just see a lot of pain and disillusionment.” Fr. Curtis acknowledged Wally, took a deep breath, nodded to Fr. Greg, and began his homily.
“Yes, there is a lot of pain and suffering today. With eyes of faith, we accept a little break letting the light celebrating the birth of the child Jesus dispel the darkness of evil, giving hope. Father continued with his homily reminding all present that the scripture lessons for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas recounted the annunciation story detailing the Angel Gabriel telling Mary that she was favored by God, full of grace, and would, by the grace of God, give birth to the Son of God, our savior and redeemer. The gospel reading for Christmas told about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Everyone is familiar with these grace-filled lessons. So, Father Curtis proceeded to point out something that just might touch the hearts and lift their spirits with hope.
The pressures of life can be overwhelming, especially with all that is going on in the world today. We are told by the President that the economy is doing well, but most people do not see it that way. Because of inflation, the price of food, clothing, and shelter remains a hardship for most families. Because of the open border, thousands come daily into our land putting a strain on sanctuary cities that must provide shelter and food for so many not able to speak English or even understand the American culture. Where do we find relief? After a while fear, discouragement and guilt dominate life. How are we to deal with these issues? Christmas, for many, lasts a day; then back to the reality of struggling with current problems.
Advent is the time to prepare for the coming of the Lord: his first coming when God became Man (Emmanuel – God-is-with-us); his second coming in glory to judge all of creation. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was just a very young girl when the Angel Gabriel visited her. The angel told her that God chose her to be the Mother of the long awaited and hoped for savior. She was a poor, insignificant little girl. A nobody! She was not a famous singer like Lady Gaga. Nor was she a clamorous movie star. She was not rich. Mary was a nobody!
Joseph, her intended, was also a nobody, He was a poor carpenter struggling to make ends meet. Joseph was not a powerful head of state, nor was he a powerful CEO of a multi-national company. He was not a famous football quarter-back, or basketball or hockey player making millions of dollars. Joseph was just a poor, struggling carpenter, a nobody!
Yet God chose these nobodies to provide for His only begotten Son. These poor people were to feed, cloth, provide for and protect the Messiah, the long-awaited savior. Jesus in his human nature learned from Mary and Joseph what it was to be the human face of God. Jesus subjected his divine nature to his human nature and learned what you and I must learn to be a human being. In one sense, Jesus was a nobody! A nobody who preferred to minister to the poor, the sick, the sinner. This nobody was not largely accepted by those who had power, like the Romans who occupied his homeland, like the religious authorities – the Pharisees and Scribes -who all thought that they were so important.
Jesus loves us nobodies! Jesus prefers to be around us who are knocked around by those who think that they are the Somebodies to be reconned with. Jesus loves us and died for us so that we could have a share in his divine life. Christmas is the celebration of the God who cares enough about us to be a redeemer – saving us from the somebodies: the evil persons who pretend that they are better than everyone else. Jesus wants nothing more than to become one with you and me. Jesus is aware of our struggles to make ends meet. He knows your agony; your wanting the best for your family.
What is so important to know about Mary and Joseph at this time is that they were open to the permissive will of God. They did not pretend to have all the answers, in humility they trusted God to show them the way.”
Father Curtis ended his homily that Christmas morning saying, “I am so proud of you all. Let the light of Christ pierce the darkness of your life revealing God’s love for you. So, be open to God’s grace and let Jesus show you the way to real peace and joy today!”
God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.