Homily Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Vigil Mass) Year ABC- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-3; Ps 89:4-5,16-17,
27,29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 and Matt 1:1-25
Christ, joy to the world at Christmas!
Tonight we celebrate with joy the mystery of God’s
incarnate in Christ Jesus. We celebrate a fulfillment of those ancient promises
made by God to Abraham and his
descendants in the Book of Genesis, to David in 2 Samuel chapter 7, and down to
us through Israel’s prophets: Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, John
the Baptist whom we all listen to, very attentively during these past 4 weeks
of Advent.
Notably, Isaiah’s prophecy that: “A child is born for us, and a son is given
to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God Hero, Father
–forever, Prince of Peace… and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel” ( cf Isa 9:5-6) is fulfilled
tonight in the birth of Christ, narrated in Matthew’s Gospel, that long
genealogy ( Matt 1:1-25)
This birth brings us redemption, light and joy as it did to
Israel.
Even the angels could not resist the joy. They broke into that Gloria with which
we began this mass with: “Glory to God in the
Highest… peace to people of good will.” This song is also hidden particularly
in Deutoro- Isaiah 52:7-10, the song of the redeemed Israel:
“How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace (not war, not selfishness, not hatred, not greediness, revenge
and division, but) bearing, good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion “Your God is King.”
It is also hidden in the first reading of
today, Isaiah 62:1-5, because, ‘no more shall people call Israel forsaken or consider Israel’ land
desolate. Rather, with Christ’s birth the Lord rejoices over Israel and us the renewed Israel!
Christmas refreshes and renews us in Christ, the source of
life. Christmas brings us Jesus, a Friend of the poor and of the rich.
Christmas brings us Christ, Lover of saints and sinners, a Messenger of hope, a
Prince of Peace and a Prophet of reconciliation, especially in a divisive world
of today; a world plagued with wobbling politics, racism and a broken economy. His
birth requires a response from us!
One of these responses if I may suggest is
found in Psalm 89, “singing the goodness of the Lord.” Thanking God for all
that he has done for us from creatiion- coming down in the person of his Son,
in human form to be with us, to identify with us.
In addition, like St. Paul in Acts of the Apostles today, we
are invited to bear witness to this King born for us tonight, this Son of
David. It may not necessary be in Antioch
in Pisidia, but witness to Christ could be bore, or the joy of Christ, his
peace could be shared and spread around in the in the street corners of our
neighborhood, offices and homes.
In a changing world of war and terrorism we could pray at
this Christmas openly or in the silence of our hearts for our brothers and in
the Middle East and other parts of the world
where war has became the order of the day.
Secularism is constantly challenging what we celebrate
tonight. We also want to constantly allow those
unfading Christmas Carols in our homes, “come ye faithful,..” “Adestes
Fideles,..” Once in royal David
City….” “Joy to the
world….the Lord is come…” e want to keep
that faith handed down to us.
In the new English translation of the Nicene
Creed, we are reminded to say “I believe in One God.” It is a personal faith,
but expressed in the community together. We want to be constantly proud of our
faith, our rich heritage and tradition. Merry Christmas to our neighbors should
not be too difficult to say! Neither should it take the place of Happy Holiday!
Naturally every good gift brings us joy. There are no gifts greater than that of
Christ. It is a royal gift. And we want to
respond to Christ’s gifts, by sharing his love and generosity with our
neighbors, during this Christmas. Remember, this could be in form sharing our
candies, food, drinks, cookies, and clothing with the needy or exchanging
lovely Christmas cards. Depending, it can also be done through other forms of acts
of charity: like those nice telephone calls we extend to our neighbors, distant
friends and relatives, and the over all joy of Christ we share with everyone,
friends and our family members. Christ
is a joy to the world! He is joy to humanity!
“Joy to
the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive the King; Let every heart
prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and
heaven, and heaven and nature sing.!”
