Christmas

Christmas
December 25, 2005

"... people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... for a child is born to us... His dominion is vast and forever peaceful," (Isaiah 9:1-6). Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and... said to them, "Do not be afraid;" (Luke 2:1-14)

There are some times when we recognize (believe it or not!) that words fail us and we decide to allow the liturgical symbolism, and the divine reality which it carries, to speak for itself. The celebration of the birth of Christ may certainly be one of those times. The prophet's hymn of praise for the Messiah suggests this when it contrasts human darkness and the light of the Most High. No matter how many wonderful titles we bestow, the reality of God's life within and among us is always elusive even as it points us in the right direction.

There are wonderful traditions even in our secular celebrations of the "holiday season", most especially our encouragement of attitudes of peace, reconciliation, home and hearth. We might be inclined to forget how many people do not enjoy these gifts at this or indeed any time of year. The expectations for peace and joy are often pretty unrealistic. As if all the problems we encounter during the rest of the year are supposed to magically evaporate as they do in the movies. As a matter of fact many of us find that the conflict seems to increase under the weight of these expectations. Relationship problems, alcohol abuse, long-standing animosities and the like rarely go on holiday.

Yet we know there is something more to this season. Religion often strives to remove us from the darkness and confusion of this life and take us "up" to the divine. The coming of the Messiah is God's decision instead to join created reality, becoming human in every sense of the word. All of the details of our story suggest this by emphasizing the powerlessness of human experience: an infant Jesus, poor and displaced parents, impoverished and uneducated shepherds and their animals. If we miss this point Christmas becomes simply another compelling but quaint folk legend easily exploited for commercial and sentimental purposes, over and forgotten for another year on December 26.

The Most High has taken up residence within and around us. Like the shepherds, we have nothing to fear. It is already a time of peace, joy and light because our God is here with us. May we be warmed by the fire of the birth of this living God.