Homily Christmas Midnight Masses ABC- Udoekpo U.
Michael
Readings: Isa 9:1-6; Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13; Ti 2:11-14
and Luke 2:1-14
Our Savior is Born, Christ the Lord
Earlier this evening at the Vigil Mass we
inaugurated an important celebration of Christmas- the Birth of Christ, our
King and Savior (Lk 2:11) foretold by the Israel’s Prophets, that a virgin
Shall conceived and give birth to a son who
shall be named Immanuel la wnm[
= GOD IS WITH US (Isa 7:14). And
only upon his shoulder shall dominion and power rests. This Son comes not only as God’s gifts for
us, but as a Wonder- Counselor. He comes as a God. He comes as a Hero. He comes
as Father incarnate. He comes as a Prince of Peace (Isa 9:4-5) and a dispenser
of justice. He comes to destroy the barrier and the power of darkness. He comes
with Love.
It is an entrance of Light into
the world of darkness, war despair and fears and terrorism. Christmas is a
celebration of the victory of Light over darkness. It is celebration of hope
and expectation comes to fulfillment. 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 Hanna.
However the story of the birth of
Christ is been narrated, be it from Matthew’s Gospel as at the vigil Mass or
from Luke, tonight’s text, 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.
With the Gospel of tonight (Lk
2:1-14), all eyes are fixed on the biblical Manger (crib) in Bethlehem the birth place of Christ and his
ancestral home. Although Mary was heavy with Christ, she was required by the
civil law to travel with her husband Joseph from Galilee to Bethlehem for a census- process for taxation.
There was neither Honda CRV nor Toyotas then. No Cadillac, no
SUVs, no BMV nor Lincolns,
except and perhaps horses and Donkeys, our children would say- Dominick the
Donkey!! It must have been a rough journey for them, especially for an expected
mother- like Mary – galloping on a donkey.
Tonight’s story is so important that it has become the delights of
Broadway shows, of popular preachers, theater groups, and church and Christmas
pageant functions. However, on arrival there was no place for them in the Inn. Joseph who is usually very discerning took Mary to
the Manger where she delivered her Baby Jesus (God Saves).
I have had the privilege of serving as an
administrator at St. Mary’s Hospital Urua Akpan in South Eastern Nigeria and as
chaplain in many hospitals in this country. I have come across expected mothers
with and family. Especially in rural
areas in Africa they don’t usually carry a lot
with them to the hospital except few belongings. They usually wear on their faces some sense
of anxiety, pains and hope of joy especially when the baby is finally
delivered. Mary and Joseph may have made their humble preparation. They had the
swaddling cloth with which Baby Jesus was wrapped with to keep the Son of God
save from cold and dust. Joseph as righteous and discerning as he usually is
must also be assisting in the wrapping and in caring for Jesus and Mary.
It was not long the angel of the
Lord brought the good news of the birth of Christ, the Glory of the Lord (Isa
9:1) to the poor humble shepherd who were walking around the vicinity of caves and mountains keeping night watch
over their flock. They became the first to adore Christ and bearers of the Good
News that “Today in the City of David
our Savior Christ has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” And the angels
invites us to sing with them- Glory to God in the highest and on earth Peace to
everyone whom the Lord favors.
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---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 meant as the 2nd reading (Ti
2:11-14) would stress to share this grace with others. We are called to respond
to God‘s Love by sharing His Divine Love with one another.
In many cultures around the world
we have different ways of celebrating and sharing this Love. Here, like in Nigeria we have
decorated our homes with flowers, palms fronds and trees. We have cards and
gifts exchanged. Usually after the midnight mass/church worship good wishes are
exchanged with neighbors, Sancta brings gifts to family members especially our
children and grand children and the Christmas meals and stories are shared
among family members, songs and carols are chanted- reinforcing the family and
faith reunion. No doubt a good part of this has been challenged by multiple
distractions of commercialization. But
each year when we look at the crib, listen to Christmas songs, reflects on the
scriptures, listen to the stories and contemplate the roles of Mary, Joseph,
and the Shepherd- God has plan to save us.
And May the joy of the Birth of Christ our
Savior remains with us throughout Christmas and the New Year.
