Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Christmas Time is a wonderful time. We hear the same songs and hymns again and again but we love them. They belong to Christmas and make the spirit of Christmas grow in our hearts. ‘Silent Night’ is one of the quintessential songs of Christmas.
When we go to Church we sing the hymns of Christmas and we listen to the story of Christmas as well. We have heard the story of the birth of Jesus many times during our lives, but at Christmas time we never tire of it. St Matthew, St Luke and St John approach it in different ways and we love them all because they give us a good idea of what God is like – and what Jesus will be like when he grows up.
The vigil Mass uses the gospel of St Matthew which tells the story of how Jesus came to be born. Of the ‘yes’ which Mary gave to the angel who told her that she would be with child by the Holy Spirit. Of the real difficulty this created for Joseph and Mary who were betrothed but had not come to live together.
God in the plan formed long ago, sorted it out. We know the story. Joseph knew his place in God’s plan and followed it faithfully.
The evening Mass continues the story of how Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and not in Nazareth in accordance with the plan laid out in the Scriptures. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Not only that, but the first people informed of the birth, the wondrous birth of Jesus were shepherds out in the fields. Shepherds were marginal people, they worked with sheep, they did not have a decent place in society.
What is God telling us when the Messiah is from Nazareth in Galilee, not a holy province, that the first people to encounter the Son of Man would be poor disreputable people? Who were the first to hear the words ‘Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to those who enjoy his favour.’ The shepherds!
The dawn Mass on Christmas Day continues St Luke’s gospel which informs us that the shepherds come to Bethlehem and find Joseph and Mary and the baby lying in a manger. Why is God going among ordinary people and not people with more skills, power and money?
Everyone was astonished at what these shepherds had to say. What is going on? Beautiful words for any mother are said about her child. ‘Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.’
The Mass of the day uses the gospel of St John from what is called the Prologue. This is not a description of the birth of Jesus, son of God and son of Man but a reflection on what the birth of Jesus means for the people and what it means for us.
‘The Word was made flesh, he lived among us and we saw his glory… full of grace and truth.’ We have much to give thanks for and celebrate. God is with us!
Columban Fr Gary Walker is currently living at the Columban house in Sandgate, Brisbane.
