The Nativity of
the Lord (Mass at Midnight)
(Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)
Historians do more than record the events of the
past. More importantly, they tell the
significance of those events. They put
the events in context by relating them to other occurrences of the time. They also give the meaning of the events to both
the people of their time and the historians’ own times. Of the four evangelists no one is more
self-consciously an historian than Luke.
His historical consciousness is readily seen as he narrates the event of
Jesus’ birth.
Luke begins his story by contextualizing Joseph, Mary,
and Jesus in their time. Caesar Augustus
was ruling what seemed to be the whole world.
He had brought peace to the empire after almost a hundred years of civil
strife. The great poet Virgil considered Augustus the epitome of the virtuous ruler. Luke hints that Jesus will become an ever
more glorious ruler. He relates how the angels
are singing in the heavens when Jesus is born.
"’Glory to God in the highest,’” they proclaim, “’and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.’"
We live in a world of continued conflict and often enough
war. The great powers – Russia, China,
and the United States – show off their military might. Civil wars in smaller nations like Yemen,
Sudan, and Syria ravage populations. Some
ask: if Jesus is the great peace-maker, why does the world still experience
such turmoil? Our response will not
satisfy every troubled heart, but it does fit our experience. Jesus
has brought a modicum of peace to the world.
He healed the enmity between Jews and Gentiles in antiquity, and his
teachings continue to give pause to warring hearts. He also moves us interiorly to reconcile with
our enemies, our neighbors, and God. His
birth, which we celebrate with joy today, represents the beginning of eternal
peace.
