Christmas Revisited

Luke’s story of Jesus’ birth is very simple. He lays out the setting, tells the event, and announces its good news. We have heard this story so often that we take it all for granted, as though it were quite ordinary to date a child’s birth by an imperial decree of Caesar Augustus and give the place of birth as the city of David. We do not even wonder about laying a newborn, let alone a son of royal lineage, in a feeding trough, nor about the angel of the Lord appearing to shepherds living in the fields outside Bethlehem.

 One time each year, however, we do not take the story for granted. That time is Christmas. Every Christmas, the story works its magic, attuning the assembly to the mystery of Christ, beginning with the day Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son.” “She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”

 The one denied hospitality, rejected, at the time of His birth was again denied hospitality, rejected, at the time of His death. No wonder, Christmas after Christmas, though we know it well, we never tire of hearing the story of Jesus’ birth. The one denied hospitality and nourishment extended the ultimate hospitality, offering Himself as nourishment for the world.

 Such is the story and the mystery of the birth of Jesus according to Luke, inseparable from the events we celebrate in the Easter Triduum. It is a matter for celebration and contemplation.

 May Christ’s Christmas coming be a gift of love, a blessing of hope and a promise of peace for you.

 Love,

Father Kelly

God Bless you with His love as we celebrate the birth
of our Savior. May the holiness of the season stay
with you the entire year.

Peace and Joy to you this Christmas!