Homily(alternative) at the Christmas Vigil Masses ABC-
Udoekpo, Michael
Readings: Isa 62: 1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17,
27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matt 1:1-25
Rejoice:
God is with His People and Community
Tonight we begin a joyful celebration of the Birth of
Christ, our Messiah and Savior.
We gather to
celebrate the fulfillment of the promise made us by the prophets that a virgin
shall conceived and give birth to a son who shall be named Immanuel (Is 7:14)
and a Prince of Peace (Isa 9:4-5). We celebrate an entrance of Light into the
world of darkness, war, despair, fears and terrorism. It is a celebration of an
important event of our salvation and a contemplation of this mystery received
by the faithful remnant of Israel,
Mary and Joseph his parents and by those humble Shepherds in Bethlehem, Simeon and Anna.
We celebrate the reasons for the past four weeks of
spiritual and material preparations. Reasons for all those shopping; Reason why
Santa Claus is in town again. Reasons for all these decoration in our church,
in the narthex, the ones in our homes, in our offices, in our work places, in
the plazas, public squares, in shopping and community centers. All those snow
men dancing with our kids in our homes. We celebrate the reasons for those soft
and beautiful Christmas carols and music booming in our radio and TV studios.
Those unfading Christmas, CAROLS, “O Come YE ALL FAITHFUL... “ONCE IN ROYAL
DAVID CITY...” that echoed in our homes, bedrooms, in the living rooms, in the
kitchen areas and dining rooms.
We are celebrating the reasons why we will soon gather to
exchange those beautiful gifts and meals with our children, grand children,
spouses, neighbors, our loved ones, friends and relatives. Meals and Gifts that represent the love, the
peace and reconciliation that Christ the bridegroom brings us at
Christmas. Let me not forget we are
celebrating the reasons for all those stamps and envelops which we have already
mailed- the candies and the cakes, the candles and the checks, the ribbons and the trees, the
wine and their choice colors, the food and their items.
Personally I have received so many gifts from you and I
want to say thank you very much. All, these are because a special friend,
Christ is been born for us in Bethlehem. A friend that in turns brings us the gifts of
joy and peace with skills of counseling, reconciliation and the gentleness of a
healer.
Without naming names, you and I know that there are still
many today who do not believe in Christ and in what we are doing tonight. In
the time of Prophets Isaiah (Isa 2: 1-5; 11:1-10; 35:1-6; 61:1ff) and Christ,
there were many skeptics, and unbelievers. Think of the opposition from the
Pharisees and the Sadducees. Some would asked, “Can something good come from Nazareth” (Jn 1:46)? Just
as this preaching and our celebration tonight is important it was necessary for
the Evangelist to narrate the stories of the earthly, timely and divine origins
of Jesus, Son of Abraham, Son of David and Son of God born of the Holy Spirit
for the Jews and the Gentiles. The
stories we find in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke’s’ Gospels.
Tonight’s readings (Isa 62: 1-5; Acts 13:16-17; 22-25) as a whole affirm God’s
abiding presence in Christ among us and the heroic faith of his parents.
My believe is that however this divine story is been
narrated, be it from Matthew’s Gospel read this evening (Matt 1:1-25) or from
Luke in other Masses or as reenacted beautifully the other day by our children
at the Christmas Pageant narrative, the bottom line is the truth of the Saving
Purpose of God for all humanity, Jews and Gentiles, from the beginning, rooted
in the Scripture, in Israel’s covenant history, and the exemplary roles of the
parents of Jesus and the Shepherds. Whatever went on in their family lives, the
miraculous conception of Jesus, they trusted and saw it as divine plan and the
will of God.
From the readings tonight we come to appreciate more who
Jesus was, his origin and the role of his virtuous parents. We come to appreciate Jesus’ link, his identity
with the history of God’s people, the Jews and the Gentiles. It is mystery of
God becoming man (Carum Factum Est Jn 1:14) and dwelling among us in our
homes and communities (Matt 1:21).
The spiritual significance of this story cannot be
overestimated. Jesus is born poor and visited first by the poor shepherd-
teaches us that happiness is not to be found in abundance or abuse of earthly
goods. Jesus comes into the world without the drama and display of pomposity,
encouraging us to be humble and not to always rely or seek for human applause.
The disposition of Mary and the care of Joseph are challenging to us- modern
families, parents and teachers.
The Songs of the angel “Glory to God in the highest and
Peace to people of good will---assures us the peace, the tender love of God and
reconciliation that Christ brings us at Christmas. This song challenges all
forms of violence and terrorism, personal and institutional. The birth of
Christ is Grace onto us and we are encouraged to share this grace with others.
Thus Christmas incarnates in a joyful mood the announcement of reconciliation
and salvation, the announcement of peace that comes from God. As Christians who celebrate the birth of
Christmas, we are called to take up this mood of reconciliation and joyful
peace, realizing that the humble birth of Christ Savior in Bethlehem speaks of the tender love of God
for us his people. It calls for a fitting response to such love. This response
entails accepting his saving love, returning a thankful love to him who loved
us first, and then sharing this divine love with one another.
And may the blessings of the Child Jesus, the Son God and
our Savior remain with you all at Christmas and New Year.
