As Christians all over the world celebrate the wonderful feast of Christmas, we meditate as well on the following readings: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18. These readings show us how God reached the climax of his self revelation to the world, finally through Jesus Christ. But the readings add on a sad note, that on his arrival, he met a kind of rejection which did not make it easy for him as a light that was calling the world out of darkness.

The first reading tells us that the coming of Jesus brings peace and salvation to the world. Of course history has showed that this is not the kind of peace that meets secular standards. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (Jn. 14:27). The kind of peace that Christ gives us depends on our personal response and conversion. It is a kind of peace we feel deep in ourselves as a result of our acceptance of God as the king of our lives, in such a way that all the rest is judged differently.

The second reading reminds us that God’s revelation has reached its climax in his Son.  Jesus Christ fulfils the Old Testament prophecies and hopes. He is the fullness of revelation and the best glimpse we will have, in this world, of God the Father. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9).

Since the nativity of Jesus to the present time, the world is still intrigued by the way the Son of God chose to come into the world; his humility remains a great challenge to our human mind. The King of kings comes into the world as a helpless baby. He makes himself small in order not to overwhelm us with his power and majesty. This is how he wants to reign. Consequently this is how he wants us to receive him who continues to identify himself with the small ones.  Apparently this should not be our problem as human beings; who can calm us and brings us joy better than a baby in our midst. That is the joyful impact that God’s presence should have in our lives.

The Gospel warns us that the arrival of Christ as a child prompted a range of responses. Some rejected him, preferring to remain in darkness. But to those who welcomed him "he gave power to become children of God.” This continues to happen to the present moment: Some accept him and others reject him. But he remains a living manual, a veritable guide to our daily lives. Christ did not only reveal to man his or her relationship to God the Father, but he revealed as well man’s supreme calling. 

From the pastoral point of view, the readings make it clear to us all that only God can bring true peace and serenity to our lives. A kind of peace built on other promises which ignores God is a peace built on sand. It is a kind of peace that comes and goes.  On the contrary, Christ will never abandon us, though he doesn’t force his law of love on us either. He calls us to reform into peace makers who can bring joy even in the midst of adversity. 

The feast of Christmas is in fact a call to imitate Christ; how he dealt with different situations and people. The world has wondered at his humility, his kindness, his mercy, his respect for the lowly of his time as women and children and his docility to his Father’s will. All these things are part and parcel of the teaching of Christmas. And they should be reflected in each Christian’s resolutions for the New Year. 

The Christmas reality elevates human nature. The humanity of Christ Jesus underscores the basic goodness of the created world. By taking flesh, Christ showed the dignity of human nature, and his working in the world showed the value of making an effort to improve. In a mysterious way, our efforts to build up this world will have an impact on the future Kingdom. We are called to be agents of a new civilization of love and understanding. And we can do this well if we do not loose the sight of how Christ chose to enter the world as a small baby. That contradictory part of Christmas is essential for the modern man to understand himself or herself better. Who are we in front of the God who chose to be a baby and depend on the love and protection of his mother and foster father, who were themselves his mere creatures! That is why to meditate properly on the fact of Christmas is to approach its mysteries with all humility on our part as human beings created by God. It is in prayer and on our knees that we can celebrate the feast of Christmas well.

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