Christmas Eve
Scripture:
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Luke 1:67-79
Reflection:
“In the same region, there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. LK 2:10
The importance of the need of our being saved by Christ is stressed in many ways in Scripture. “Without me, you can do nothing!” John 15:5 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:3 Again we hear Our Savior say in Mt 11:27 “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
I think the biggest mistake we can make in our lives is to think we don’t need Christ. Twenty four times Jesus is called Savior in SS. 298 times the need of being saved is treated in the New Testament! In Mathew’s Gospel Joseph is assured by the angel to take Mary for she shall bear a Son “and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” MT 1:21
In 2017 the most expensive painting in history was sold at $450 million dollars. It is one by Leonardo da Vinci called “Salvator Mundi”, the “Savior of the World”. Since before its 8-year restoration it was in terrible condition, previous sales were $60 in 1958, and as recent as 2005 sold for $2,000. In 2017 was actioned off for 450 million. If a painting of Our Savior is so incredibly valuable just think what the real Savior is worth. I think for many of us for too many years had no idea how wonderful Our Savior is! Maybe our faith has gotten anemic and foggy and we miss the sheer excitement of “today there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” LK 2:10
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.