This night, 2000+ years
ago, the Son of God, God Himself, the Creator of the Universe, the Promised
Messiah, was born of Mary in Bethlehem. The King of the Universe, the Creator
of us all, is born in a stable, a shelter for cattle! His first visitors are shepherds, a despised
group of people in Jesus’ time. Their
fellow Jews are busy about many things unaware that God assumed human nature in
order to transform it into a holy place where His salvation is brought to
birth. Sin, this night, is transformed
into holiness in the same way as the stable was transformed into a place for a
King. Darkness gives way to an inextinguishable
Light that, to this very day, continues to brighten our way. To this very day, God looks upon our
lowliness and reminds us, through the prophet Isaiah, “You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem
held by your God. No more shall people
call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My
Delight,’ and your land ‘Espoused. (Is 62: 4-5—First reading of the Vigil Mass
for Christmas).
The symbolism of
Bethlehem, of God born in a stable and visited by the lowliest of the lowly in
Jesus’ culture, teaches us that nothing is too desolate that the Lord avoids it. Those others shun God embraces. Those
considered too poor spiritually, physically or materially become the Palace of
a King in whom God delights.
With the angels at
Bethlehem, we sing: Gloria in excelsus Deo and peace to people of good will!
Merry Christmas!
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