Christmas Eve

Homily for Midnight Mass Christmas Eve, Year A: 2010

Every year we hear the same Christmas drama, but we may find different

meaning from it. The event of incarnation of God would surprise the

Jews and the whole world. Why God had to become man like us; even in a

vulnerable setting. Many of us may not understand what Mary, Joseph

and Jesus went through that first Christmas night. Even the shepherds

were shocked when they heard the message of the angel; how God was

born among the poorest people in the city.

There are two things I want to share with you tonight about Christmas story:

First, Jesus was born in a dark, cold night. Darkness represents

blindness, or sinfulness. The shepherds and many people were living in

hopeless and despair. Human hearts are cold. People do not have the

truth, and they do not have light to lead them to the truth.

Therefore, the whole world is waiting for hope, joy and light. So in

the midst of human mess, the Son of God had come. As we just heard

from the scriptures, Jesus is the savior of the world. He came to

bring light to us. His light could warm those who are living in cold.

His light can lead us back to God, our Father.

Dear friends, the Son of God was born in a poor manger in order to say

to those who visit him that the world needs love of God. The shepherds

and the animal came to worship him that night had understand God’s

love to the humankinds, so they have joy. They began to go out and

spread the good news to their friends and neighbors. Tonight and

during Christmas season, when we stand or kneel before the manger

scene, we should let our heart be touched by God’s love. Then we would

pass his love in our family, our neighbor and our community.

Second, when we look at the manger scene, we have to see the humility

of our Lord. Our first parents sinned because of pride. Pride

separates us from God and from others. Therefore, God wants to use his

humility to conquer human pride. How can we describe God’s humility?

Tagore, an Indian poet looked at the baby Jesus, he cried out:” I

bowed myself to the bottom, but He is deeper lower than me.”

Dear friends, only in true humility, we see ourselves are in need of

God’s mercy. Only in true humility, we see Jesus is present among

people who are struggling with poverty, with illness, with injustice

and loneliness.

Dear friends in Christ, more than two thousand years ago, the Word was

made flesh as a vulnerable child in the poor manger, but nowadays,

everyday the Word was made flesh on the altar. So, every time we come

to the Eucharist, we witness again and again God’s love and humility

on the altar. Tonight, before the Eucharist, let us ask God to warm

our heart with his love again. Let us ask him to guide us in his light

again. Amen.