Christmas Midnight Mass
Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
Every year we come together to celebrate the birth of the child Jesus. But what child is this, that is given the noble titles of Wonder-counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is no ordinary child. He has come to live among us and is willing to accept our human condition with all its joys, pains, and sorrows, event to the final bewildering, frightful moment of death. But it is not only his birth we celebrate tonight. We celebrate his entire life because in every moment of his life, he was preparing for the final moment which would assure the world of Salvation.
In Jesus, the essence of pure love becomes the light that shines in the darkness to lead us to abundant joy. No wonder the psalmist tells us to sing a new song, for this child comes offering salvation to the world. In this season of joy, we celebrate the truth that we can scarcely understand: God has come among us, and we, who worship together tonight, must rejoice that we have been chosen to live in this day of the Lord.
At Christmas, we pause and stand in quiet awe, contemplating the love of such a God, who sent his only Son to take on our humanity, and die to share with us his divinity.
Our Christmas celebration is another new beginning, a season of new hope that will sustain us long after the decorations are put away and gifts are forgotten. The greatest gift of all is our faith that God has done something wonderful for us.
We know there will still be problems, pain, and obstacles, but this child whom we worship tonight, accepted all the difficulties of our human condition, and show us how to turn them into life-given events. This is why he came.
As we leave the church tonight, believe that you are walking in the light of Christ. Become that light and bring it to those who have not seen it.
Fr. Alex Osei
SSC-USA Spiritual Director
Featured image from St. Anthony and St. Agnes’ Facebook page in Utica, NY, USA