GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 24TH DECEMBER 2016
NATIVITY OF THE LORD
(READINGS FOR MASS AT MIDNIGHT)
1ST READING: Isaiah 9:1-6
PSALM: Psalm 96:1-3,11-13
2ND READING: Titus 2:11-14
GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-14
THEME: GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
As kids at the basic school level (primary), one of the essay-topics that many of us had to write on was “The happiest day of my life”. The topic presupposes that there are some unforgettable pleasant events in our lives. At age 6, I recall writing on how I went to a party of a friend, ate rice and chicken and drank “muscatella” and “mirinda”. Eating rice and chicken and having a free soft drink in the early 1980s, at a time when Ghana was gradually recovering from a severe famine, was very significant. I recalled that event in my essay as the happiest day of my life.
Growing up, however, I have come to realise that there is something that brings more happiness than rice and chicken and that is the gift of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas.
In our First Reading, the prophet Isaiah writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of deep darkness a light has shone…You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing” (Isa 9:2-3).
The theme of joy is also echoed in our Gospel text. The angel of the Lord tells the shepherds who were keeping the night watch over their flock, “…I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The angel goes ahead and gives the reason for this joy, “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Inherent in the above statement of the angel are three important attributes of the one we celebrate at Christmas. First of all, Mary’s baby is a SAVIOUR. As saviour, Jesus is born into a world broken by sin to save sinners (cf. Mt. 1:21). His mission to save is buttressed in the Second Reading – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all…while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds” (Tit 2:11,13).
Secondly, the newborn baby is the CHRIST, i.e. the anointed one. The title “Christ” was used in first century Palestinian Judaism to apply to an expected royal leader from the line of David who would restore the kingdom to Israel (cf. Is. 9:6-7; Acts 1:6) and by extension establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
Thirdly, the baby in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger is the LORD. He sits enthroned at God’s right hand and rules over all nations (cf. Acts 2:34-36; Phil 2:11).
To have Jesus is to discover immense joy and live a victorious life here on earth. Christmas is an unforgettable moment in the history of humanity that reveals the love of God for every one of us. He so loved us that he gave us his only begotten Son. The birth of Christ has changed the course of history for good and therefore qualifies as the happiest day in the life of humankind.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)