A Blessed and Joyful Christmas

John begins his Gospel by pronouncing "The Word became flesh."  This simple statement allows us to contemplate the mystery which offers us a life of salvation and peace.  In last night's first reading we read from Isaiah, "A people who had walked in darkness have seen a great light."  Certainly that same darkness full of violence, hatred, and despair is still part of our lives.  It is St. John who reminds us that the people preferred the darkness to the light.  This awesome feast challenges us to ponder these mysteries we celebrate so as to use them as a guide and meditation throughout our lives.

The Incarnation asks us to consider that we have a God who is not distant, nor does God observe human drama from some far away place; rather; our awesome God sit in the muck with us so as to embrace our hearts and offer us peace and joy.  This feast is part of that larger plan of salvation whereas St. Paul observes that God does not wish to condemn us but to save us.

It is later in St. John's Gospel that John returns to this image of light.  Jesus Christ, Son of the Father and King of Justice, sets us free from Sin and Evil and allows us to walk as children of the light.  Again St. Paul offers a litany of virtues today, patience, understanding, mutuality, that deliver us from the darkness of Sin, so as to remain oriented to the light which is Christ.  In John's Gospel Jesus speaks about that intimate connection between him and the Father.  When we live in relationship to Jesus Christ, we share in that same relationship.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke about moving beyond the externals of this season and remaining focused on that grace and blessing we experience from the Light of the World.  Benedict stated that we should move through the glitz and sparkle of this season and focus on the meaning of our celebration.  The light of Christ enables us to see clearly what is true and good, and not succumb to the superficial nature of Christmas.

May our celebration bring us to light, happiness, and peace.