Christmas Message

One of my cherished memories of Christmas, growing up and still today, has been listening to the list of titles given for the long awaited Messiah, in the reading from the prophet Isaiah from our First Reading at the night Mass: "For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Is. 9: 6) People then, as for today, were afflicted with all manner of threats to their safety and prosperity. Life has changed and so has its challenges but we are still in need of the same love and reassurance. The message of Christmas is just the tonic we need. Christ is our redeemer! As victor over sin and death in his resurrection he answered all our needs and desires super-abundantly. Christmas is the dawn of God's love shining on a darkened and anxious world with the promise of endless day. This we taste in sacrament as already reigning in our hearts: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry ''Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.." (Rom 8: 15-16)  We rejoice in God's love today and its that love which overflows to our families, friends, fellow parishioners and strangers in the street or waiting in line at the supermarket. Whatever our situation let the joy of Christmas fill our hearts since: "You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, a people exult when dividing the plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian." (Is. 9: 3-4) Happy Christmas everyone!