The evangelist John does not have the Infancy Narratives that are found in both Matthew and Luke. The language is poetic but more than that, it is spiritually symbolic because it copies the Book of Genesis by using the same words, “In the beginning…”. The Evangelist draws us into the drama of creation by bringing us back even before the advent of time to illustrate that the Logos, already present when time and space were created, is now the Word made flesh.
The Evangelist quickly introduces the Baptist whose sole purpose was simply to be the precursor to the Light. Before the Word was made flesh, the humanity only knew the Laws. As the 2nd Reading reminds us, if in the past God spoke to us through the Prophets, He now speaks to us through His Son.
There is not a hint of sentimentality in the 4th Gospel but it is still most powerful because it goes into the very purpose of Christ’ birth at Christmas. Jesus is how the Father would speak to us and to those who accept Him, He gives power to become His children. In Christ, we have a secure path to the Father because no one has seen the Father except the Word made visible.
Caught up in the celebration, we might have difficulties appreciating that God has spoken to us through His Son. Thus, if we remove all the partying and the Christmas paraphernalia prior to 25th Dec, we may be able to appreciate better what Christmas stands for. Why? For even 24th Dec remains a part of Advent, the period that prepares for Christ’s birth and properly the season of Christmas begins only on 25th itself. How many of us can wait until 25th itself to begin our Christmas celebration? Practically nobody and in fact, by today, Christmas proper, many of us would have had enough—drinks, food and parties. Some malls are already dismantling their Christmas décor in favour of Chinese New Year trinkets.
What is most jolting are some of the days organised after Christmas. Tomorrow is the Mass of St Stephen. In every sense of the word, he is called Proto-Martyr. It is true that he was stoned to death post-Easter but right after Christmas the Church commemorates St Stephen, sending a loud and clear message on the link between Christmas and discipleship. To become children of the Father and brothers and sisters to Christ, the cost of discipleship is real. In fact, just three days after Christmas and two days after St Stephen’s, we encounter the “comites Christi”, (companions of Christ) the Holy Innocents whose very short lives gave unique witness to Christ.
Fun and frolic belong with Christmas. We ought to celebrate Christ’s birth because the Bridegroom is with us. But Jesus Himself told the Disciples, the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away. If we play hard, then we should remember to pray hard, that is, by keeping an eye on Christ for Who He is and what He represents. He is the Light that shines in darkness. And we must never forget how pervasive the darkness of sin can be. Even then, we should be prepared to follow the footsteps of John the Baptist in bearing His light and bringing His love to others through our witnessing meaning that sometimes we may even have to pay with our very own lives. But losing our lives is not a loss. Instead, martyrdom is a gain as St Irenaeus used to say, “God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole”. The real value of Christmas is counting the cost of the Cross, the true price of discipleship. Enjoy life because it is a gift to us but always keep close to Christ and His Cross.
