The Birth of Jesus

Today's Reflections

             

 The Birth of Jesus

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Lk 2:1-14

¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. ²This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. ⁹The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. ¹⁰The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:/ ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest/ and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Reflection:

Good News of Great Joy. The evangelist Luke tells us that on the night when Jesus is born, the angels are one in their joy and there is peace.

To this day Christmas brings joy and peace to people’s hearts.

The joy of Christmas is generated by hope. The lowly, the marginalized, and the outcast know that there is someone on their side now.

This joy arises from a heart cleansed of sin. Jesus comes to liberate us from our sins and from oppressive social structures and to reinstate us to our former dignity and rightful status as children of God.

This joy is equated with reconciliation. Jesus comes to mend the relationship between God and humankind.

Our Christmas joy springs from our willingness to reach out and to share, to suffer and to save.

The peace of Christmas comes from breaking down the barriers separating God’s people from one another. It consists in the willingness to live and to exist in harmony with others.

The animals in the stable are the first to see the infant Jesus. The shepherds in the fields are the first to hear the good news of his birth. As Jesus accepts them all and grants them the privilege to be his first visitors, so does he welcome everyone regardless of social status or educational attainment.

To enjoy peace is to act with love and compassion. To aspire to be an instrument of peace is to follow the example of our Lord Jesus.

With whom am I sharing

the joy and the peace of Christmas?