Christmas Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20
Holy Family Readings: Sirach 3.12-14; Colossians 3.12-21; Matthew 2.13-15, 19-23
There were shepherds in the same area, living in the fields and keeping night watch over their flock. An angel of the Lord came suddenly upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid. The angel said, “You have nothing to fear! I bring you good news, a great joy to be shared by the whole people. For this day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. Let this be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in high heaven; on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests” (Luke 2.1-14).
Christmas celebrates the most ordinary of earthshaking events—the birth of a child. Many people today may identify with how unusual Jesus’ family is. His mother is not married when he is conceived. His mother’s husband is not Jesus’ real dad. His mother is still a virgin, perhaps still a teenager. Mary and Joseph face all the challenges any child presents new parents. They must feed and clothe their new baby, rock and bathe him, teach him to talk and walk, play peek-a-boo, and keep him from danger. The gospel testifies that Jesus grew in wisdom and grace in his family.
The birth narrative also proclaims the baby is extraordinary—the savior, the messiah, God’s Son. These titles make claims about who Jesus is that eventually get him arrested and put to death. Christmas celebrates in his birth the significance of Jesus’ whole redemptive life. The messiah that Israel has long awaited has come. God’s own Son is with us. Luke wants the same tidings of great joy the shepherds hear to echo in our ears. A savior has been born. Mary treasures the shepherds’ words and ponders them in her heart. Only the events that climax Jesus’ life will fully reveal the significance of these titles—savior, Christ, Lord.
Mary models faith as an ongoing process. She holds onto what she cannot yet interpret. At the annunciation Mary commits herself to God’s word. She puts her whole self at God’s service. Her commitment gives her no foreknowledge; rather like all of us, she gets insight only over time as events unfold. The Word God conceives in her develops not only normally in the womb but also gradually in her life experience of raising her son and standing by him.
- What experiences of your children’s birth do you bring to hearing the Christmas gospel?
- Whom do you relate to most easily—the Christ child or the crucified messiah?