It is somewhat ironic that one gospel, which does not have infancy narrative, has the best and most succinct description of what Christmas is all about: "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1: 14) The great mystery of the Incarnation scandalizes and astonishes us. Many people who struggle to cope with the mystery turn to various forms of Deism or Pantheism. Others, influenced by Arius, believe Jesus to be a human who is ultimately divinized. Secularists and materialists invent their own fairy tales about Santa. The same gospel also sums up the Passion: "He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him" (Jn 1: 11-12) and the Resurrection-Pentecost: "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of the blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." (Jn 1: 12-13) No wonder the so-called Last Gospel was prayed after every Mass prior to Vatican II! Let us maintain our focus during this liturgical season on the mysteries of faith all of which are actualized for us in the Holy Eucharist. Without the Incarnation there is no Eucharist. Without the Incarnation there is no Church. The banality of atheistic and secularist ideologies given us an opportunity to put in relief the joy of the Gospel and the richness of the treasures given us in Christ Jesus.
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