LET US SING WITH THE ANGELS

CHRISTMAS DAY - Luke 2:1-14

Why should the birth of a humble child be the point of reference of human history? How did he become a source of hope for so many? 

Jesus' crib in Casa Diocesana do Vilar, Porto

He was born somewhere in Bethlehem, far from his parents home. And there was no place for him. But with him came a promise and the fulfilment of that promise. Trembling with fear, the powerful used violence in an attempt to silence the Promise, to destroy hope and to annihilate life. Those were times when people “walked in darkness” and lived in a “land of deep shadow” (Is 9:2). Those were violent times when the poor were trampled upon as if they were worth nothing. The wealthy, the powerful, the arrogant and the violent dominated the earth. The descendants of Cain seem to have taken over the earth. Like him, they are dominated by pride, envy, jealousy, hatred and a deep thirst for revenge. That’s why human beings never get tired of wars, which they combat with an unimaginable ferocity. It is in such a world soiled by sin that the Son of God comes to live, being born as a humble child in Bethlehem. In him, we find all the beauty of life, a life that is God’s presence in our midst. Even though death seems to claim victory, life comes back always stronger and the birth of any child is an affirmation of life which will overcome all difficulties. With the birth of Jesus, our hope is renewed. Becoming one like us, the Son of God restores our dignity. In spite of poverty, injustice, oppression and violence, our life is worth living. In him, we find a purpose and a reason for living. Indeed, “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.” (Is 9:6).

Jesus' crib in Seminário da Boa Nova, Valadares

At Christmas, we celebrate the great mystery of Incarnation, that is the Son of God came to be Emanuel, God-with-us, so that in him we may find the way to life and salvation.

Let us sing with the angels 

Glory to God in the highest, 

to Him who by His great love 

sent us his Son, 

born poor in Bethlehem, 

so that the poor and humiliated 

become God’s children. 

To Him, we sing songs of praise, 

as we approach the Child Jesus with joy.

From him, we receive peace without measure.

 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those 

with whom he is pleased!