Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 88:4-5,16-17,27,29
Acts 13:16-17,22-25
Matthew 1:1-25
REJOICE AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS
For about four weeks now, we have prepared ourselves to receive our saviour. We are ready to come out of darkness and embrace Jesus who is the light that dispels darkness. The prophet Isaiah tells us in 9:1-2 that the coming of Christ has brought light to us all who have been living in darkness. Today we commemorate the birth of our saviour, it is a time for us to once again come out of the various forms of darkness in our lives.
The world before the coming of Jesus was in darkness. The original sin of Adam and Eve our first parents left us in a very pitiable state. Right from creation therefore, God has mapped out ways to bring us back to himself and restore us to our original holy state. God called Abraham and his descendants so that through him, every tribe and nation will be saved. God sent leaders, kings, judges and many prophets to lead the people back to himself, but in the fullness of time, God sent his only son Jesus Christ into our world to show us the way back to him. How much God truly loves and cherishes us.
In the old Testament, we see that the consciousness of sin and morality was very low, that is why Jesus in Luke 10:23-24 said that we all are privileged to have been born to see and hear him and relate with him. Many kings and prophets longed for his coming. We see how Zechariah was very happy in the gospel reading of yesterday that he lived to see the birth of the saviour.
We are therefore called to rejoice and be happy today. Many things may have taken away our joy this year, we all have our various troubles and anxieties ranging from family, business, education, health, friendship and work challenges. We are called today to place them by the side of the new born king. Let us trust that Jesus who became a human being like us, knows our troubles and challenges in life, and he will be our comfort and solace.
We can imagine how Mary struggled with her life since the angel gave her the message of the incarnation. We can imagine a woman giving birth during this cold season in a manger. We can imagine Joseph who had already planned his life with Mary, told to become a celibate and foster father of Jesus.
Let us rejoice at the birth of Jesus amidst our life challenges and share the joy with one another. Jesus has also come as the king of peace; let us be agents of peace and joy to everyone we meet. Jesus is the reason for the season, let us rejoice and be glad because our salvation is assured by the birth of Jesus. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. God bless you. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.
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