The Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the night)
(Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)
Soldiers in World War II loved the song “White Christmas” more
than any other. It reminded them of
Christmases of long past. Back then, people
always think, people were friendlier; life was kinder. A white Christmas, of course, is a snowy Christmas. Snow symbolizes the meaning of the day. It is literally pieces of heaven falling to
the earth. Its purity represents Christ,
the sinless one, who comes to earth to redeem fallen humans.
Soldiers could hardly hear enough of “White Christmas”
because they were away from home.
Fighting a war, they were not sure that they would ever see their families
again. We are likewise away from our
true home even if we live where we grew up.
As sisters and brothers of Christ, our home is with the Father in
heaven. We may wonder if we will ever
get there. Some may think that heaven
doesn’t exist!
Let us heed the command of the angel to the shepherds in the
gospel. When they see the angel’s radiance, they fall back in fear. The angel tells them not to be afraid. So also, we must not be afraid to believe. In redeeming us, Christ rose from the dead as
the gospels testify. He has gone before
us to prepare the eternal Christmas when we will dine at the Father’s
table. There we will reconcile with one
another in everlasting love.
