December 25, 2008 Christmas Is. 52:2-10; Heb. 1:1-6; Jn. 1:1-18 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.catholicdoors.com/homilies/2008/081225b.htm    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     God himself eagerly anticipates speaking the Word into our lives. He is ready to be our reason, purpose, and cosmos in the midst of this world’s chaos. He is willing to bring wholeness to our lives thoroughly and always. That includes in this moment as well as forever; it includes our relationships and every facet of our lives. God is willing to bring purpose to our pain and reason to our confusion. He is the source of infinite hope; a peace that surpasses understanding.   God is so willing to offer us recovery that he not only granted us the written word, but the living Word as well.  We can see what God looks like when we look at Jesus. We can see what a fulfilment is when we look at the Anointed One. We can understand heavenly power when we see the powerlessness of the Evil One in the presence of enduring love. We can even experience the presence of the Word through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Word can be written on our hearts and flow freely from our being.   However, we have to give over the reins to the one who is all-powerful. It is the Gospel paradox that in order to be free we must be servants. In order to be whole we must be broken. In order to tap into God’s power we must become weak.   A Christmas Response   The blessings of Christmas are tied to our response to the Christ Child. When we read the Christmas story from the Bible, there are at least three ways which we can respond to Him.   First Response: the innkeeper. The innkeeper was not hostile; he was not opposed to them, but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was preoccupied. This is the answer that millions are giving today. Like a Bethlehem innkeeper, they cannot find room for Christ.   Second response: King Herod. His answer was one of hostility. The world objects to the Messiah. A life-changing Christ is what is unacceptable to millions of people. That is a menace to their way of life. It strikes at the roots of their independence.   Third Response: Simeon. "My eyes have seen your salvation." Simeon's answer was the response of commitment.   Have you irrevocably committed your life to Jesus Christ?   <<   Previous: Fourth Sunday of Advent  | Next: Feast of the Holy Family >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)