THE SUN OF JUSTICE COMES TO END THE DARKNESS OF OPPRESSION
In the gospel of today’s morning mass, we read the hymn of Zechariah (Lk 1:67-79) pronounced at the birth of his son, John the Baptist. It is a song of praise to God, because he fulfilled the promises made to our ancestors by sending a saviour to rescue his suffering people.
At the end of the hymn, we find these words: “God from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
These words help us to understand why the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on 25th December. We do not know in which day Jesus was born; and as for the year, we guess, because we know the date of Herod the Great’s death and Jesus was born while he was still alive. However, for past generations, the day and the year of one’s birth did not matter. Think of it… how many of the old people you know can tell you when they were born? In spite of that, the fact remains that they were born. And so it is with Jesus: the truth of the fact remains: he was born. And that is what we celebrate.
The fact that Jesus’ birth is celebrated on 25th December is due to a well succeeded effort of inculturation. Throughout the Roman Empire, people celebrated the rising sun on 25th December, which is the date of the winter solstice in the Julian calendar, used in the first centuries. The feast of the sun was a pagan feast, which persisted even after the majority of the population in the Empire had become Christians, putting in danger their faith in Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus on the same date, because he is the true rising sun, the sun of justice, which dispels darkness and oppression, and brings peace, joy, life and salvation. At Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Saviour, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Merry Christmas to all, full of Jesus’ blessings.
No comments:
Post a Comment