2024 12 25 – homily – Christmas Yr C – 530 1030 pm masses – Is 9 1-6 _ Ps 96 _ Titus 2 11-14 _ Lk 2 1-14 _ Darkness to Light
Focus – We were in darkness, now invited to the light
I wish you all a blessed Christmas!
700 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah predicted Jesus’ birth. Here is the first sentence from our first reading: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:1-6)
Our theme for advent, to prepare for the coming of Christ is “be the light.”
SLIDE:
Be the Light
When we walk in the light, we can be the light for a world so desperately in need of hope, peace and joy.
But“It is in the dark place of our own hearts / that Christ wants the light of the world to begin to burn …, until it shines back from the face of humanity … It’s easy to see that the world is wounded, / hard to see that (the healing of the world) begins in our own heart.”
(Caryll Houselander, Magnificat magazine, December 2024)
We heard in our gospel reading today that the “shepherds in that region were living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.”
Jesus was born at night to reinforce that he has come to a darkened world to dispel the darkness. Our gospel reading says; “the Angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
The first reading goes on to say God has brought the people abundant joy. They rejoice as at a harvest. For the yoke that burdened them the pole on their shoulder and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed.
The yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of the taskmaster was slavery to sin. Jesus came to bring us freedom to be able to choose the good versus being a slave to sin.
I know that some of you are struggling. But as the angels said, do not be afraid.
SLIDE:
Be not afraid
The Lord has come
The Angel said to the shepherds in the field, the Lord has come! The Lord is near! We just need to cast our cares upon him. Some of you have lost hope due to what’s happening in the world, in politics, at work, in your family and creation. I encourage you to put your hope in Jesus. Say: “Jesus I trust in You.” Let’s all say that together.
Let’s listen to the rest of the 1st reading: “for a child is born to us. They name him Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace his dominion is vast and forever peaceful.
So how do we experience that peace and joy.
Our second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to Titus tells us how. To reject godless ways, to reject the ways of darkness and worldly desires and live in moderation. To live in the light. To be just and committed to doing good. To embrace Jesus’ offer of salvation. Jesus offers us a restored relationship with God. In summary, if we change, we change the world.
SLIDE:
If we change,
We change the world
Saint Francis said be the change you want to see. So what do we need to change? What darkness do we need to let go of.
“Newborn savior, you are the answer to the misery, the strife and the meaninglessness we often experience in life. …(to) you eternal king I surrender to you all my selfishness, my self-indulgence, my self-righteousness…
Even as I adore you on this night of your birth rid me of the nagging desire to be adored.
… you make your dwelling among us yet you do not live your life for yourself, but for us. Empty me of my willfulness, my hardness my cynicism …
(Father Peter John Cameron, OP, Magnificat magazine, December 2024)
help me recognize that true love is laying down my will for the other.
Personal story
I experienced the journey from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light.
I became open to God’s Kingdom of light in 1989 during the lowest point in my life. For all of you who are struggling today, and I know many of you are, difficulties and challenges can be the doorway to God’s Peace and joy.
- A crushing moment can become a divine knock.
- suffering can become a merciful gesture.
- Personal misfortune may mean salvation for your soul
God is a master of bringing good out of evil. – Look at the cross – the worse thing to happen in the history of the world, deicide – the killing of God, came the best thing in the history of the world – Our salvation.
But, …….. you need to be open to the unexpected, the unplanned. (repeat)
SLIDE:
Be open to the:
- Unexpected
- Unplanned
The people of Jesus time were not open to the unexpected. They weren’t expecting a king who arrived as a humble infant, born of a young woman, in the insignificant town of Bethlehem. So don’t miss the peace hope and joy that Jesus as promised.
Be open to the unexpected, be open to the unplanned.
In summary
The healing of the world begins in each and everyone’s heart.
As I often say no one is perfect …
so look for the light, walk in the light so you can be the light!
Merry Christmas to you all and to all a blessed new year!
