The brightest of lights shines in the darkness and offers humanity true peace, especially in our age beset by wars, catastrophes and threats.
Newsroom (28/12/2022 2:25 PM, Gaudium Press ) In the Most Holy Trinity, Christmas has always existed, because the Word of God is eternal. Through Him, in six days, all things were made (cf. Jn 1:1-3) and also because of Him, the Most High willed to dedicate the last day of Creation only for Himself: the Sabbath, which, after being overcome by the Resurrection of the Saviour, gave way to the “Lord’s Day” – dies Dominicus.
Thus, Sunday recalls both Creation’s rest after the six days of creating, and the summit of Creation, that is, the Incarnate Word, and so the Christmas of Jesus is like the “Sunday” of the year.
Lucifer, however, does not tolerate Christmas. Revolting against the human God, he was soon cast into hell, but his diabolical fury did not cease. He tried at all costs to prevent the Messiah from coming forth from the House of David. He undermined the hopes of the Jewish people with trials, exiles and disasters. And even in the moments that surrounded that most holy night, he plotted against the life of Jesus, stirring up hatred in those who rejected Him (cf. Jn 1:11).
Before that Child, the centuries dragged on in darkness, echoing everywhere the serpent’s whisper: “You shall be as gods” (Gen 3:5). In Rome, emperors deified themselves for power; in Greece, sophists deified themselves for knowledge; in Israel, Pharisees deified themselves for appearances… And what was the response of Providence? To reverse the parameters. Do you want to be gods? Then you will have a God-Man! Clothed in our flesh, Jesus raised us to the Divinity. Born in a poor manger, He gave us the treasures of Heaven. Without saying a word, He drew mankind to Himself. It was enough to see the newborn Child to recognize Him (cf. Lk 2:17).
Joy immediately spread around Him. The Angels glorified the Divine Infant on the heavenly heights, the shepherds praised Him on earth, and all who heard the good news of His birth were amazed (cf. Lk 2:14-18). Christmas thus provides an opportunity for us to experience a little drop of this sacred atmosphere; simple Christmas carols are enough to revive our springtime innocence. On that holy day, graces are even more abundant: sinners are converted, families are restored to harmony and enemy nations seal armistices.
The world, however, insists on not knowing Jesus (cf. Jn 1:10). Lucifer continues to hate Christmas and all that it brings with it. If the most sacred of families was found in Bethlehem – this family being holiness Incarnate, and God’s greatest act of mercy for humanity – it is precisely by attacking the family, virtue and religion that the authentic Christmas spirit is disfigured today.
The theory is clear, but what do we do in practice?
This “Sunday of the year” is an opportunity for us too to be “born again” (cf. Jn 3:3). How? By imitating the example of Mary in Bethlehem. If She preserved and continues to preserve in her Heart all the events that took place around the manger (cf. Lk 2:19), it is through Her that Christmas will reach its maximum perfection.
Text taken from the magazine Heralds of the Gospel n. 228, December 2020.
Compiled by Sandra Chisholm
