CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN

CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN

In the  town of Nazareth nestled among the hills of Galilee was the home of Joseph and Mary who were known as the earthly parents of Jesus.

Now Joseph was of the lineage of David and so when a Roman decree was sent out to the people to be taxed, he had to go to Bethlehem, the city of David to have his name enrolled. This was a toilsome journey as people travelled in those times.

Mary who was pregnant with child went with her husband as they climbed the hill on which Bethlehem stood. She longed for a comfortable place to rest, but the inns were already full. The humble couple had to find shelter in the crude building where cattle was kept. Joseph and Mary did not possess  much of earth’s riches, but they had the love of God. They were children of the Heavenly King who was about to give them a wonderful honor. Angels had been watching their journey.

There in the lowly shed, Jesus the Messiah, the Savior was born and laid on the cattle trough. In that cattle trough which served as a cradle, laid the Son of the Highest.

All Christians regardless of denomination, affirm the doctrine of Incarnation. This doctrine is supported by the Holy Scriptures. 

Theologians describe the Incarnation as a mystery. Lecerf said, "The presence of mystery is the footprint of the divine.”

The most staggering historical fact of all time is the virgin birth of our Savior. God became flesh to submit to mortality. The infant born in Bethlehem was and is God. Christians believe in the amazing mystery that Jesus Christ was truly God made man. In the highest act of condescension Christ  took humanity without loss of Deity so He was fully and truly Divine as He was human. The plurality of persons within the unity of God and the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Word was made flesh. God became a man. The Almighty appeared in human history as an infant, helpless like any newly born child.

St. John declares this mystery, with a touch of poetry:

In the beginning was the Word. (Word Eternal)

And the Word was with God. (Word a distinct Person)

And the Word was God (Word Divine)

All things were made by Him. (Word Creating)

In Him was life. (Word animating)

And the Life was the Light of men. (Word revealing)

And the Word became flesh. (Word Incarnate)

This is mainly the reason why Christians celebrate the human birth of our Lord.

I say with pride and am deeply touched by the way Filipinos celebrate the birth of our Lord . We mark this occasion as a special holiday. We cease from our labor.  We go to our churches and reflect  on the virgin birth, families gather and are reunited to celebrate with joy, surrounding the dining  table full of  food on Christmas eve,  praying and thanking God for the Blessings received and the greatest gift who is the Christ of Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!