Sermon/Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord - Vigil Mass 24th December 2023

Sermon/Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord - Vigil Mass 24th December 2023

Isaiah 9:2-7. Psalm 96:1-2a,2b-3,11-12a,12b-13. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-14.

Theme: A Child Is Born to Us.

On this particular night, we experience the darkness that covered the world before the coming of the child promised by the prophet Isaiah. Had Christ not come, all of us would have been wolf children spiritually. "We dwelt in a land of deep darkness" (Isa.9:2). We were under the yoke of his burden" (Isa.9:4) of our sins, and the rod of the oppressor was on our back (cf.Isa.9:4). The "boots of the tramping warriors" (Isa.9:5) followed us, and our garments were rolled in blood (cf.Isa.9:6). This is our picture as painted by Prophet Isaiah in the first reading.

In the midst of our painful and sad situation, there is hope. God never abandoned us. Concerning our hope, Isaiah writes, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when divide the spoil" (Isa.9:2-3).

The light spoken of by Prophet Isaiah is Christ. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called 'Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'" (Isa.9:6).

Tonight's Gospel continues this theme of the light brought into the world by the child of Bethlehem and shows us how the light shone brightest for the poor. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was first made known to shepherds by an angel. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."

The Word of God, before all time, became flesh at a suitable time. Maker of the sun, he is made under the sun. Disposer of all ages in the bosom of the Father, he consecrates his day in the womb of his mother. Creator of heaven and earth, he was born on earth under heaven. Filling the world, he lies in a manger. Ruler of the stars, he is nursed at his mother's bosom. He is both great in the nature of God and small in the form of a servant in such a way that his greatness is not diminished by his smallness, nor his smallness by his greatness. For he did not desert his divine works when he took to himself human parts.

For his coming to be made manifest in our lives, the second reading tells us what we should do. "We must renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world" (Titus 2:11-12).

Our celebration of Christmas tonight is a visit of God par excellence; in fact, in this event, he comes very close to man through his only Son, who in his infant's face demonstrates his tenderness for the poor and for sinners. The grace of adoption as God's children is offered to us in the Incarnate Word. 

Tonight, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. The Good News of Salvation brings joy to the world and peace to people on earth. This inestimable gift of God's love to us comes wrapped in silence. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not born in the splendour of the day but in the silence of the night. On this silent, holy night, Mary gives birth to her firstborn and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. God is a great lover of silence 

Many of us are more comfortable with noise than with silence. Christmas reminds us that seeds grow in silence. Silence brings about the greatest revelation: it reveals God to us; it also reveals us to ourselves. We welcome our Lord Jesus Christ in our midst, Immanuel, our God with us.

May the celebration of the coming of Jesus among us bring us closer to God.