Homily for Christmas: December 25, 2007

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

The great hymn of Christmas sings out joyfully: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.” Our God is a God of peace Who sent His only Son to bring peace to our world and to our hearts. Our God wants only what is good for us. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed: “I, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river.” (Is.48:17-19)

Christ has come to redeem us from those inner disturbances which destroy our composure of mind and heart. The Word of God made flesh dwells within us. Christ fills the void of emptiness and loneliness and offers us a reason for living, a purpose to our lives. Christ brings the light of the evening star so that we might see beyond our self-centeredness, beyond our desires to acquire more and more, beyond taking care of only “me.” Christ it is who says: love one another; love your enemies; do unto others as you would have them do to you.

In a way Christmas is more than just the Virgin Mary giving birth to the Christ Child. The Church also gives birth to Christ in today’s world. We are the Church and we, all of us, give birth to Christ. Like to Mary, God has spoken to us and we believe. When we believe we bring Christ into the world by our good actions. When we believe we bring Christ into the world by acting responsibly towards our families, in our jobs, in our relationships with others. When we believe we bring Christ into the world by being generous and compassionate. When we believe we bring Christ into the world by seeking God and his righteousness first above all things.

The destructive forces against peace are found everywhere: in greed, in the corruption of power; in the sword; in not wanting to hear about the poor, the homeless, the migrant, the mentally ill. The greatest enemies of Christmas are not the atheists but those Christians who have become hard-hearted, self-righteous and have closed their hearts to the human needs of others. Often they claim to be law-abiding and justify their contempt for others in the name of the law or self interest or self preservation.

The genuine Christian goes beyond the law, beyond self interest, beyond self preservation in the sense of always seeking what is truly good for the well being of others as indeed of themselves. Authentic peace – SHALOM – the peace of Christmas, the peace of Christ, is total well being for the individual, right relations with others and with God, and a justice which puts an end to any rationale for war.

The peace of Christmas is what we all yearn for. It is not an empty desire. It is a hope, a hope founded on faith in a God who sent His only Son as our redeemer and savior. We will not see the fullness of peace realized until Christ comes again at the end of time. But we cannot wait until then to pray and work for peace. It will be too late then. The door will be shut for those who have not prepared the way of the Lord.

When we believe we give birth to Christ in the world by working for peace.

Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.

Last Update January 2, 2008