A CHILD IS BORN FOR US!

CHRISTMAS FEAST: Luke 2:1-14

Jesus is not a mythical figure created by the human mind to satisfy our inner needs. He is a historical figure, a real person, who lived in Palestine and was born during the reign of Caesar Augustus. In his gospel, Luke pays attention to this little historical detail and in a way he forces us to compare Caesar with Christ. Octavius, after defeating Antony, became the sole ruler of Rome, being the first of a long line of emperors. After wars and bloodshed, finally he brought peace - the Roman peace, and people started comparing him to the gods, giving him the title of Augustus, meaning that he deserves veneration, respect and obedience. And he was proclaimed Lord and Saviour. The history of humankind is full of people like Octavius, who think of themselves as divine, having the right to rule and to impose their will. They may bring peace, but their peace is imposed on people who are afraid of revolting and who prefer to go about their lives quietly. Coming from the people, they put themselves over the people, always ready to crush them. 

Jesus is presented as Prince-of-peace, Lord and Saviour. However, he was not born in a palace; instead, he shared the fate of the poor. Being the Son of God, he ignored his divinity and took upon himself the condition of the humble, the poor and exploited. He came to be God-with-us, the God who loves us so much that he chose to share our humanity in the weakness of our condition.

Two ways are set before us: Caesar’s way and Christ’s way. Caesar speaks of peace and in the name of peace they oppress and exploit, being always ready for war, fighting and destroying all those who oppose them. Caesar’s way is one of domination and violence. Christ ’s way instead is one of humility and service. In him, we discover that God’s ways are not are ways and his plans are not our plans. Only Jesus can set us free, and his way is the only way to life and salvation. He is the way, and only by him and with him we will go to the Father.

Long ago, the prophet Isaiah had already announced the coming of a child who comes to rule in justice and integrity:

For there is a child born for us,

a son given to us

and dominion is laid on his shoulders;

and this is the name they give him:

Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,

Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Wide is his dominion

in a peace that has no end,

for the throne of David

and for his royal power,

which he establishes and makes secure

in justice and integrity.

From this time onwards and for ever,

the jealous love of the Lord of Hosts will do this. (Is 9:6-7)

The poor and the strangers are the ones who welcomed him and who received the great news of a Saviour being born for us. The joy in heaven was so great that the angels had to come and share with us a song of praise and thanksgiving, which goes together with the assurance of God’s promise:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace to men who enjoy his favour. (Lk 2:14) 

For a very long time,

year after year,

generation after generation,

the announcement is made

and the news of great joy are spread:

a child is born for us,

and to us a son is given 

- the one who comes 

to fulfil the promise:

he is the Prince-of-Peace,

the Saviour, Christ the Lord.

In him we rejoice

and all peoples of the world 

celebrate.

He brings the light

that scatters our darkness,

filling our hearts with hope.

Ruling with justice and integrity,

he will set us free,

breaking the bonds of oppression

and destroying the weapons of war.

In him all peoples rejoice,

Singing at one voice

With the choirs of angels:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace to men who enjoy his favour.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

May the child Jesus fill you with his blessings.

Fr . José