A Christmas reflection from Archbishop Thomas Wenski
God has spoken with his Word
Saturday, December 24, 2011
*Archbishop Thomas Wenski
On Christmas Day, the Ancient Promise is fulfilled; the time of waiting ends and the Virgin gives birth to the Messiah.
On Christmas Day, Jesus is born for a humanity searching for freedom and peace.
He is born for everyone burdened by sin, in need of salvation, and yearning for hope.
That Holy Night, when in the silence of obscurity and poverty, Christ was born has ushered in a New Day, filled with the light of an undying hope, that dispels the darkness imposed on human hearts by fear and despair.
Over the centuries, people have cried out: Come, Lord, save us! God has heard and he answers with one Word, his Eternal Word. This Word spoken at the beginning of time brought about the creation of all things, visible and invisible. Now, this Word, this last Word, spoken in time, has taken on our mortal flesh so that in Him, and with Him and through Him, all glory and honor may be given once again to his Eternal Father. Yes, the Word of God’s love for his creation has entered into the creature’s time and place. Emmanuel, God-with-us, is born.
In Luke’s gospel, the angel tells the shepherds: “You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” They say that a picture speaks 1,000 words. And so, on Christmas Day, our attention is drawn to the crèche. In thousands of churches — from great basilicas to humble rural chapels — a crèche enhances the usual liturgical décor. The crèche, introduced into Catholic popular piety by St. Francis of Assisi, is the iconic representation of the mystery of Christmas: for icons in Church art are drawn in such a way to speak the Word of God through the signs and symbols represented in the icon.
We are invited to contemplate this “icon” of Christmas. We see the animals, the poor shepherds, we see the mother who has just given birth. We see the awestruck yet protective Joseph. And we see the baby, placed in a feed box — a manger.
Who could imagine that this little baby is the Son of the Most High? Only she — his Mother — does. She knows the truth and guards the Mystery. The Christmas feast invites each of us to join in her gaze, and look on this child through her eyes — through those eyes of simple and unwavering faith — and so recognize in this child the human face of God.
Gazing on the Christ Child, through the eyes of Mary, the first disciple, makes Christmas a real school of faith and life, a training ground for us, in turn, to assume the risks and the joys of discipleship, to become like Mary, who was blessed because she heard the Word and obeyed it. In this school of faith and life which is Christmas, we too, with the Virgin Mother, learn the truth and become guardians of the Mystery.
God has kept his promise. God has spoken. He has given us his Word. His Word is our peace. His Word is our hope. His Word is mercy. His Word is Jesus.
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