The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, The Nativity of the Lord, invite us to contemplate the grace of the Nativity that was first shared with those in need of mercy, consolation and clarity from God.
The Light of the Word
The text from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah declares God’s Salvation to Zion.
Say to daughter Zion,
‘See, your salvation comes;1
Psalm 97 praises the Glory of God’s Reign.
* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12).2
The Letter to Titus shares God’s merciful gift.
* [3:1–8] The list of Christian duties continues from Ti 2:9–10, undergirded again as in Ti 2:11–13 by appeal to what God in Christ has done (Ti 2:4–7; cf. Ti 2:11–14). The spiritual renewal of the Cretans, signified in God’s merciful gift of baptism (Ti 3:4–7), should be reflected in their improved attitude toward civil authority and in their Christian relationship with all (Ti 3:1–3).3
The Gospel of Luke describes the Visit of the Shepherds.
* [2:14] On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests: the peace that results from the Christ event is for those whom God has favored with his grace. This reading is found in the oldest representatives of the Western and Alexandrian text traditions and is the preferred one; the Byzantine text tradition, on the other hand, reads: “on earth peace, good will toward men.” The peace of which Luke’s gospel speaks (Lk 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5–6; 19:38, 42; 24:36) is more than the absence of war of the pax Augusta; it also includes the security and well-being characteristic of peace in the Old Testament.4
Mary Lee Brock comments that this year she is drawn to the shepherds in the Christmas story. These steadfast workers stayed with their flock night and day always watching for danger as they searched for sources of food and water. We face threats such as those from the Covid-19 virus variants, extreme weather conditions, financial insecurity, personal safety and civil unrest.
On this Christmas Day let us feel the joy of the promise of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us not be afraid. Let us turn the threats we perceive over to God. Let us feel peace in our lives and in our communities. Let us feel hope for our salvation. Let us truly hear the proclamation of the multitude of the heavenly host: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”5
Don Schwager quotes “The shepherds are the first proclaimers of the Gospel,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"The shepherds did not keep silent about the hidden mysteries that they had come to know by divine influence. They told whomever they could. Spiritual shepherds in the church are appointed especially for this, that they may proclaim the mysteries of the Word of God and that they may show to their listeners that the marvels which they have learned in the Scriptures are to be marveled at." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.7)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:1-18 comments that this child in Mary’s arms is no ordinary infant. No, he is the Word who existed from the beginning. He is the image of the invisible God! Jesus, the unseen Word who created everything, has become visible in human flesh. Now we can see this God who loves us and made us. Not only that, but we can know him personally. Through Jesus, the God who made the world is now remaking it. He is making all things new, including our relationship with God. O come, let us adore him.
“and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He has come to earth to live and walk alongside us. He has come to bring us strength and comfort, wisdom and hope in this troubled world. Even now he dwells within us through his Holy Spirit. We are never alone, never without help, never without his grace. O come, let us adore him. Wherever you are today, Jesus is close to you. He looks at you with great love, and he invites you to come to him. O come, let us adore him. “Jesus, Son of God, I worship you! Thank you for becoming man for me.”7
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the consolation in Trito Isaiah to the exiles returning to Judah. The disreputable shepherds hear the Word and the Jewish girl ponders what she hears and sees. Friar Jude reminds us of the difficulty of one who prays the Shema to surrender to God in trust.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces African American mystic, theologian, and pastor Howard Thurman (1900–1981) who challenges us with two tasks during the Christmas season—to reconcile with people and to offer a gift of grace to someone else.
One, that you will seek reconciliation with any person or persons with whom you have, at the moment, a ruptured or unhappy relationship. During the year that is rapidly coming to a close, you have perhaps had many experiences with many kinds of people, those with whom you live, those with whom you work, or those with whom you play, and in the course of these goings-on there have been times when the relationships heightened and were thrown out of joint, and a desert and a sea developed between you and someone else. And you were so busy with your own responsibilities, and perhaps so full of hostility yourselves, that there was no time to give . . . the grace of reconciliation. So will you think about such a person, find a way by which you can restore a lost harmony, so that your Christmas gift to yourselves will be peace between you and someone else. The second is just as simple. Will you with your imagination, with your fancy, will you conjure up into your minds a gift of grace that you might give to someone for whom you have no obligation, someone whose need is not so great that if you don’t respond to it during this season you will feel guilty—but someone upon whom you might confer a private blessing. It may be just to pick up the telephone and call someone about whom you know something and with this knowledge as a background you say a word of reassurance, of comfort, of delight, of satisfaction—so that you will feel that out of the fullness of your own hearts, you have conferred upon some unsuspecting human being a gentle grace that makes the season a good and whole and hale and happy time.8
We receive the Prince of Peace as we strive to be disciples of mercy, compassion, and love.
References
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