CHRISTMAS

Theme: GOD BECAME MAN, GOD BECAME FOOD FOR MAN, GOD BECAME FOOD FOR SINFUL MAN

Luke 2:1-14;
John 1:1-5. 9-14 (Shorter Form);
Hebrews 1:1-6

1. A merry, happy and blessed Christmas to all of you! We are merry, happy and blessed, because as the gospel tells us, God has become man, God has become food for man, and God has become food for sinful man!

The gospel tells us that when Mary gave birth to Jesus, she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. The gospel also tells us that there were shepherds nearby. These details symbolize something very important, that is, God has become man (swaddling clothes of humanity/Ws 7:4/NJB), and God has become food for man (manger where the animal feed)! (NJBC) There was no room in the inn, that is, Jesus Christ is not a visitor or a traveler. He is here to stay, to stay with us and to stay within us for good, that is, forever! (Craghan) The shepherds were the lowly. They were mangy, that is, they were having skin diseases. They were stinking and bathless. They belonged to the despised trade like the tax collectors and prostitutes. The shepherds symbolize sinners. (NJBC/Fuller)

The gospel tells us that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and they were terrified, but the angel said to them, ‘do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy, a joy for the whole world. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger’.

And the gospel tells us that suddenly, there was a host of heavenly angels praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor’, that is, glory and praise to God, and peace (shalom) and salvation to men who enjoy his favor, grace and blessing!

The first part of the gospel of tonight tells us that Caesar Augustus is not the savior, god and bringer of peace, but Jesus Christ is the Savior, God and the bringer of peace and salvation! (CSB/NJBC) The first part of the gospel also tells us that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the descendent of David. The promise made to David is fulfilled in Jesus Christ!

We take Christmas for granted, that God has become man, God has become food for man, and God has become food for sinful man. But a certain lecturer in one of the institutes of higher learning in Sabah said that he cannot understand and accept Christianity, because he does not believe that God can become man, God can die, God can become food for man, and God can become food for sinful man.

Indeed, it is about belief, it is about faith! Do you believe in a God of law, justice and punishment, or do you believe in a God of love, mercy and forgiveness? Do you believe that God is a judge or do you believe that God is a Savior? We Christians believe that God is love, mercy and forgiveness! We Christians believe that God is Savior! We see it, hear it, and touch it in Jesus Christ! It is not only true, but it is also real! Indeed, a merry, happy and blessed Christmas to all of you!

2. “Christmas”, “Epiphany”, and the “Baptism of the Lord” are about the revelation or manifestation of the Lord! The gospel for Christmas for the “Mass During the Day” tells us that the Lord reveals himself in creation, in Judaism and by extension in other religions, but the Lord reveals himself fully, perfectly and completely in Jesus Christ. The second reading for Christmas for the “Mass During the Day” also tells us that the Lord reveals himself in creation, in Judaism and by extension in other religions, but the Lord reveals himself fully, perfectly and completely in Jesus Christ!

The Lord reveals himself in creation. We have therefore to protect the environment, because it is God’s creation and revelation! St. Paul in Romans 1:20 tells us that by looking at creation we can see the Creator! Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, a priest and a scientist tells his fellow scientists that evolution gives rise to consciousness in human beings and consciousness effects union, that is, love and unity. Jesus Christ came to bring love and unity! Everything comes from Jesus Christ and goes back to Jesus Christ! There is a meaning, purpose and direction in creation!

The Lord reveals himself in Judaism and by extension in other religions. We are therefore to dialogue with other religions. The Vatican dialogues with Judaism and Islam. The Vatican dialogues with Islam on two principles proposed by our Muslim brothers, that is, love of God and love of neighbor!

The Lord reveals himself fully and completely in Jesus Christ! We are therefore to proclaim the good news! Next year we will have the “Neo-Catechumenal Communities” in our parish to produce priests, religious, catechists, “psalmists” and lay ministers to evangelize, that is, to proclaim the good news, not only to Sabah, but to the whole world!

Again, a merry, happy, and blessed Christmas to all of you!