My dear brothers and sisters, as we gather on this sacred day to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude. The readings today transport us through time and space, inviting us to reflect on the profound mystery of God’s love revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
The prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, paints a vivid picture of the beautiful feet that bring glad tidings, announcing peace, salvation, and the reign of God. As we contemplate the birth of Jesus, we recognize that these words find their fulfillment in the Christ-child lying in the manger. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate good news for humanity – a proclamation that God is with us, that He is our King, and that His salvation has dawned upon the world.
Isaiah’s vision extends beyond the physical birth of Jesus to the restoration of Zion, the comfort of God’s people, and the revelation of God’s salvation to all nations. The image of the Lord baring His holy arm symbolizes God’s decisive and powerful intervention in human history. Today, as we gaze upon the newborn Savior, let us rejoice, for the Lord has indeed comforted His people and redeemed Jerusalem. The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the divine revelation through the Son. In times past, God spoke through prophets, but now, in the fullness of time, He speaks through His Son, the Word made flesh. Jesus, the heir of all things and the creator of the universe, is the radiance of God’s glory and the perfect representation of His being.
The passage underscores the supremacy of Christ over angels, highlighting His unique relationship with the Father. Quoting from the Psalms, the author reinforces the divine sonship of Jesus, making it clear that Jesus is not just an angel but the Son of God. The angels themselves are called to worship Him, acknowledging His unmatched greatness.
In the Gospel according to John, we encounter the profound theological reflection on the Incarnation. “In the beginning was the Word,” John declares, echoing the opening words of the book of Genesis. The Word, who is God and with God, becomes flesh and dwells among us. The eternal Word takes on human nature, revealing the light of life to the world.
John’s testimony introduces us to the witness of the Baptist, who came to testify to the light. Jesus, the true light, brings illumination to the darkness of the world, yet the world does not recognize Him. The rejection of the Word by His own people emphasizes the depth of God’s humility in choosing to enter into human history.
The Incarnation is the pinnacle of God’s grace and truth. Jesus, the only Son, reveals the Father to us. Through His birth, we become children of God, born not by human decision but by God’s divine plan. The law given through Moses is now surpassed by the abundance of grace and truth that comes through Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, let us embrace the profound mystery of the Incarnation. The readings call us to rejoice in the good news of salvation, to acknowledge the supremacy of Christ, and to marvel at the Word made flesh. In the birth of Jesus, we find the fulfillment of God’s promises and the revelation of His boundless love for us.
May this Christmas be a time of profound joy and gratitude for the gift of Jesus, the Word made flesh, who brings light to our darkness and invites us to become children of God. Let us join the heavenly chorus in singing, “A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.”