Once again, let me wish all of you a Merry Christmas. That’s exactly what we’re doing right now: celebrating a Merry Christmas. Have you ever wondered what the word “Christmas” means? Originating from the Old English phrase, “Cristes Maesse,” a phrase that can be traced back to at least the year 1038, it means “Christ’s Mass.” Yes, we are celebrating Christ’s Mass with great merriment as we recall the great work God has done for us from the very beginning of time and especially through sending his son – Jesus, the Christ – in our midst. We all know that Jesus, the Son of God, is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. His first great work was to share in God’s creation. As we hear in today’s Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word” and “all things came to be through him.” We hear this same message in today’s second reading which teaches us that God has spoken to us through the Son through whom he created the universe. This hearkens back to the Book of Genesis, where we read that God said, “let there be light, …let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, …let the earth bring forth every kind of living creature.” And, his word was effective. Everything he commanded to be created was created through his Word, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. So, that is his first great work: to bring about what God the Father commanded to be created.
In today’s Gospel account we also hear: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” That is the second great work of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity: to become flesh and make his dwelling among us. That’s what we celebrate today at this Mass on Christmas: the infinite, almighty God becomes a baby! It is the beginning of another of God’s great works of love: coming into our midst as one of us to lead us back to himself. That’s truly a great work and that’s what we celebrate today and, in fact, every time we come together to celebrate the Mass: the celebration of the great works of Jesus Christ.
In the life of Jesus, the Son of God, we see that God does not simply tell what to do so we can make our way to heaven. God actually comes down from heaven to lead us back to heaven. God enters into our humanity – the weakness, the need and heartache and suffering, as well as the joy and hope and eager longing. God joins us here. His work is to draw us from where we are to where he longs us to be: in union with him.
Christmas is truly a celebration of God’s great work, creating us and then redeeming us. Just as God created us out of his infinite love, he came into our midst to lead us back to his heavenly embrace out of his eternal, unconditional love. And so, we rejoice! We hear in today’s first reading: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation.” That’s why Jesus came among us: to bear good news and announce peace and salvation. We can all use a little good news and peace right now, can’t we!?! And, we all want to be saved.
Today, as you come together with family and friends, I encourage you to remember what we are celebrating: Christmas, that is, Christ’s great work among us. The joy and happiness you feel as you get together to share gifts are a reflection of the great gift of joy that God gives us in his Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh. And, the meal that you will share recalls the Eucharist that Jesus left us at the Last Supper and anticipates the heavenly banquet God has prepared for us, where we will be able to sit because of the great saving work that Jesus has done for us. Yes, Merry Christmas!