Daily Reflections

Christmas Day

Scripture:

Isaiah 52:7-10
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18

Reflection:

Christmas is here!

When we look at the readings for Midnight Mass on Christmas, it might be understandable to overlook the second reading from Paul’s letter to Titus (2:11-14). I like this reading, not so much for Christmas, but what I think it says about our relationship to the salvation of the world. In the first verse from our passage, St. Paul writes: “Beloved: the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ…” What this says to me is that we believe that Jesus came for the salvation of all, and instead of concerning ourselves about whether “they” should get in or not, we have been given the grace to “reject godless ways and worldly desires.”

How does Christmas “train” us to “reject godless ways?” As we’ve been hearing all through Advent, Christmas trains us to base our hope in God. We do not put our hope in violence or military might. Listen again to these words from our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6): “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone…For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.” Oh! How I wish that day would come!

We do not put our hope in economic wealth or influence. To whom do the angels appear to announce the “good news of great joy” that the Savior has come? Not the high and the mighty and the influencers! No, the shepherds! The shepherds on the night watch, no less! And where is this newborn Savior to be found? Not in some palace or the corridors of power, but lying in a manger in a stable! From such humble beginnings, and an ignominious death, this baby would grow and free us from sin and death! Our hope is in Him!

Christmas trains us to act in love, not react in hate or fear. The very birth of Jesus is an act of love. God’s love for us. Mary’s “Yes” and Joseph’s “Yes” to God were acts of love. We cannot earn the joy and hope of this day. We do not deserve it. But we can respond to it, by loving as Jesus loves!

May Christmas “train” us to be “eager to do good!”

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.