(Edited) Reflection (from) Christmas Mass for the Day (B), December 25, 2011
Author's note: The Liturgical readings for Christmas Mass for the Day is the same for all liturgical cycles: Year A, B, & C
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."
In a sermon for Christmas, St. Bernard (a Cistercian abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux in the beginning of the 2nd millenium), describes the mystery of Christmas as follows:
"A little child has been given to us, but in Him dwells all the fullness of a divine nature...the smaller He became through His human nature the greater was His goodness; the more He lowered Himself for us, the dearer He is to us."
What can humble some human minds is the challenge to have faith in this little child, who has that fullness of divinity which contains the Wisdom of God - a Wisdom not only for the known universe that everyone knows, but also for what is unknown. In a little child, the hope of humanity is borne in the lowliness of a baby, born of a simple maiden from Nazareth.
Looking at the traditional Christmas crèche, and taking time to contemplate how God-became-flesh-in-Jesus, can fill any soul with a hope not like any hope found in the other liturgical season of the Catholic faith. As present external circumstances appear to be heading towards negativity and a downtrend, the mystery of hope and joy which the Christ-Child presents every Christmas to all the faithful, is enough to dispel any form of discouragement or sorrow one may have encountered in the difficulties of life this past year. And it gives all a source of hope for a future that all anticipate. This hope for a future is found in the Christmas spirit of the Eucharist itself. And it is magnified with the knowledge that the Spirit of God is present in all who receive this hope in the Eucharist in every corner of the world. The Eucharist brings that Christmas hope to every heart until it overflows and benefits others as well.
It has been two millenia since that mystery of the Word-became-flesh quietly entered human history in a small town in Bethlehem. This Spirit of the Word-became-flesh from then on continued to be poured out all over the world through the zeal of the apostles and their followers. Until now, it continues to be poured out to all humanity through the Church and all its members of every culture and race. Though there are still others who may not as yet see the light of the truth of the Incarnation, everyone knows by heart that the spirit of joy and hope which the poor Bethlehem scene brings, can still inspire a world in need of this Christmas spirit. It is the task of every baptized Catholic not only to remain in this Christmas hope, but also to bring it to others in the very circumstances of each one's respective work and state of life.