TODAY IS CHRISTMAS
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
On this day I do not only wish to draw a reflection from the readings. I would like to reflect on the event of Christmas.
Lately we have been seeing a lot of unfortunate and bad things happen in our world. Constantly there are complaints about the economy yet stores remain full of shoppers. We’re also experiencing a time of various unknown diseases and illnesses. People even ask me. Where does “Bell’s Palsy” come from? To which the doctor’s only answer is perhaps a virus, but nobody knows. We also see wars and divisions in the entire world. There’s like a psychosis of fear because of the different attacks and events in our own country and beyond. However; despite of all this it is Christmas! Yes! Because Christmas brings us a message of hope and in the psalm we proclaimed: “a savior has been born to us today”!
A savior? Can that savior really save us from all the tragedies we experience? The answer is Yes! “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:5) Yes, a Savior who can carry on his shoulders our illnesses and sins. He brings hope, not an alienating one, but one that respects the process of each one of us, because by becoming flesh he leaves his throne and glory, he makes himself humble, and he takes on the human condition. But this announcement is also for us: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone.” (Is. 9:1)
This holy night, full of joy and hope, should not be diminished into a memory of past events, but rather should call each of us believers to calmly contemplate what happened and why. In silence together with Joseph and Mary we should meditate on what happened. God, who is infinitely rich, has become poor. God, who is infinitely holy, assumes human nature except for sin. All of this should change something in our lives.
“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.’” (Lk. 2: 10-11) This is the Good News that the world needs to hear anew. We should relive this event through the Paschal mystery. Which means, for the believer, a serious commitment in the way we each lead our lives. We will not celebrate Christmas well if we do not break the chains that keep us enslaved and make true communion impossible in our families, our workplaces, in our social commitments.
This Night should be as holy as Easter, because it is very appropriate to remember, experience, proclaim and receive the Glory of God. Glory and peace. The peace understood as well-being, happiness, physical health, tranquility, peaceful understanding among peoples and among men; salvation understood as a stable reality that will come.
Today I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, but with that say: may God free us from every chain, may happiness and peace reign in your hearts and families. May the glory of God shine on your faces and may the hope of eternal redemption grow. Brothers and sisters, let us celebrate joyfully that “today a savior has been born for us!”