So close to Christmas proper, the darkness rejoices at the birth of Jesus. Recently, Times Square in New York City took up the Nativity scene with surrounding screens projecting a panoramic video leading to Bethlehem. It was captivating to watch shoppers stopped in their tracks, more so with Silent Night as the background carol. It sent out a comforting vibe because the birth of God’s Son seemed to pierce through even the most hardened shield of rabid consumerism. It exuded a soothing reassurance that Christ’s light has not been in any way dimmed.
The scene at Times Square felt as good as in the past when Scripture exulted: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light and on those who dwelt in endless gloom a light has come. For a child is born this day. Rejoice. Rejoice. Daughters of Zion awake. The glory of God is near”.
We may not be fully aware of what Christmas stands for. Somehow, there is a qualitative difference in how we appreciate Easter and Christmas. Easter is the central Solemnity of the Church. Without a doubt it is the Solemnity of Solemnities. In fact, our ordinary week is patterned after Easter which explains why every Friday is a day of abstinence (except when a solemnity falls on that day) and that each Sunday is a mini-Easter. Yet Christmas gets all the glamour. We may prepare for Easter through Lenten practices but we go all out for Christmas. Nobody changes the decor of the house for Easter but we bedazzle the senses with the glitz and the gleam of Christmas frills and fuss.
Glitz and glamour, parties and presents have a way of limiting our vision of Christmas. We most certainly curb our horizon when we focus on Christmas as simply a historical commemoration. That He came to us has a rather passé perception when we remember that event as a happening in the past. However, He is born for us TODAY expands our vision giving us a sense that He is as present to us NOW even though He was born in the past.
Mass at Midnight expresses the Mystery of the Incarnation that goes beyond the anniversary of Christ’s birth. Indeed a Saviour is born today points to Christ’s birth in the past and through His birth, it refers to the salvation that He has initiated. However, the description or designation of His birth “TODAY” means that it is still ongoing. In other words, even though the sacrificial act of Christ’s redemption of humanity took place at a definite time, the Incarnation at the Annunciation and the subsequent birth of the Saviour at Christmas broke the barriers of time and space so that He can be with us and we can have access to Him today. Christmas is deeply a celebration of the True Presence of Christ, the Word made flesh.
In conclusion, we are good at celebration. No doubt we excel in fun and living it up. Eat, drink and be merry. But we should be better at discipleship. Christ showed us the perfect example. While He feasted with men, He also fasted. He came and we rightly celebrate His birthday. We feel good. But He came so that we can be good too. To feel good and to be good, though related, can be miles apart. The 2nd Reading is our clue and instruction. To feel good is quite straightforward and rather uncomplicated. However, in order to be good, we have to give up everything that does not lead to God. We restrain ourselves in order to live good and religious lives. To be good is as simple as “giving up everything that does not lead to God”. Easier said than done. Everyone knows that to be good takes an entire lifetime.
He is born TODAY makes Christmas a season of strength. In the midst of having a good time, the vocation is to be good. His coming as Man is our lifeline to His strength to be good disciples for He is also Mighty God. Every Christmas, we are reminded that His reign will never end. The Prince of Peace is here to stay and therefore we can draw grace and strength from Him to be good. The most powerful access to Him are His Sacraments. Blessed Christmas and be good.
