The winter solstice has now passed. In the deep darkness and cold of the longest nights and shortest days of the year, pagans of old celebrated the end of the sun’s apparent southward movement and the beginning of its invincible return. No wonder early Christians took over the imagery of a sun feast to celebrate the birth of their Lord and savior, whom they believed was to be a light to all nations. In much the same way, the eyes of faith see events in human history as signs of God’s saving plan.

In our first reading on Christmas Eve (Isa 9:1-6), the prophet Isaiah reflects on the plight of the northern part of the land, the land of Galilee, that had been conquered by the Assyrians. He pictures it being in darkness because the Israelite tribes in this region had been deported and it was resettled with foreigners, Gentiles, brought in from other parts of the empire. The birth of a royal son leads the prophet to express the hope that this future king would be an ideal successor to King David of old and regain those provinces for Israel, thus becoming a light to the Gentiles.

The exalted names he gives the child are royal titles, inherited by kings of Israel on the day of their coronation: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Hero, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of course, early Christians, reflecting on these names and on the role they believed Jesus had in bringing salvation to the whole human race, felt that they may be attributed to Jesus in a much deeper sense than the prophet of old ever dreamed possible. We are in a very real sense Gentile peoples who walked in darkness and have seen a great light. The darkness of our night is illuminated by the light of Christ.

Our gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) similarly contains a theological reflection on the birth of Jesus. Referring to a practice of his own day, this author speaks of a worldwide census during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, who was acknowledged as "savior" and "god" and credited withestablishing an era of universal peace. But for our author, the real savior and ultimate source of peace is the Christ child.

Heir to the traditions of the people of Israel, the author pictures Jesus as being born in Bethlehem, David’s town, to illustrate the Christian belief that Jesus is the ideal messianic king of Israel – a king who, it was hoped, would bring justice to all the earth. The announcement of good news to the shepherds keeping their night watch is a proclamation that Jesus is savior and Lord of all people, including the poor. The sign given to the shepherds that they would find the baby in a manger reflects the Christian conviction that God has reversed the prophet Isaiah’s earlier indictment of Israel, for "the ox knows its owner, and the ass its master’s crib." And the scene ends with a heavenly army intoning a rich chorus of praise, inviting the Christian reader to sing of God’s glory too, because we too believe that in the birth of this child we have seen God’s saving power.

The second reading (Titus 2:11-14) reminds us that the revelation of God’s salvation in Christ demands the transformation of our lives. The author of this letter draws his ideas and inspiration from an ancient baptismal liturgy; he makes an urgent appeal to us to discover the demands of the Christ life and to strive constantly for moral improvement. Our consecration with Christ in baptism carries with it a corresponding deputation: we must engage in an interior battle for righteousness and honesty. We are called upon to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly as we await our blessed hope.

At Christmas we celebrate in a special way God’s communication to us in the person of Jesus. For us Christians, Jesus is the one who focuses our faith in God and is the living symbol revealing the nature of God. It is by following Jesus more closely along his way that we can be assured of finding God and living out God’s will. So let us open our minds and hearts in prayer this Christmas night that God may help us to follow Jesus, our living and risen Lord, whom we proclaim in faith as God’s own Son.

Revised: December 16, 1998