Daily Gospel Reflection
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December 25, 2021
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Fear. We all experience it. When facing life’s uncertainties, it is easy to look at our circumstances and become afraid. Think of the fear felt by those troubled by Jesus’ arrival: Mary, Joseph, Herod, and the shepherds. It is striking how differently each of them responded. It is the difference between fear and peace.
We all have a choice when we encounter fear. We can lash out or respond in trusting faithfulness. We can operate from a position of scarcity or give freely with our time and resources. Will we hold steadfast to worry or trust in God’s Word?
I believe it is when we fail to put God at the center that fear can overtake us. However, when we can pause and be still, the peace and joy that comes with the birth of our Savior can cast out all of our fears.
It is not lost on me that even in his lowly arrival, Jesus gave to us first—a life of belonging, a life without fear. Just as Mary and Joseph, we may not always understand what God has planned for us, but we can always know the joy and peace that comes with the Lord’s birth. This Christmas Day, I pray that you and your loved ones feel the presence of the Lord and a peace that surpasses understanding.
Praise to thee, Emmanuel, today and always.
Prayer
Loving God, this day ends our Advent longing and preparation. On this Christmas feast, may your tender compassion fill the earth with your peace, and your love bring the dawn of your Son’s coming to every waiting heart. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Today is the feast of Christmas, when we recall the birth of Jesus Christ, who saves us all from death and brings us into the divine life of the Trinity. In Jesus, light has come into the world, and captive humanity, slave to sin, has been set free.
Nativity scenes abound on campus at this time of year. Today's featured image is of a stained glass window from the Basilica, which shows the birth of Jesus. Relics of the nativity, including pieces from Jesus' manger, rest in the reliquary chapel there. A life-sized nativity scene stands in the Grotto.
The Church understands four reasons why Jesus was born and became a man:
1. Jesus’ birth saves us by reconciling us to God. Human nature is fallen, and Jesus came to heal it and give us goodness and life. We are captive by sin, we live in darkness. Jesus sets us free and gives light to our lives.
2. Jesus’ birth reveals to us God’s love. God, the transcendent spirit and creator of the world, wanted to be united with us and joined our human condition in Jesus.
3. Jesus’ birth and life among us give us a model of holiness. Jesus lived a life of self-emptying love of God and neighbor, which shows us how to die to ourselves and live new lives of love for God and each other.
4. Jesus’ birth allows us to participate in God’s divine life. We are unable to attain a life of divine holiness on our own. In communion with Jesus, who is also human, we can become sons and daughters of God.
This feast is much more than a simple birthday party for Jesus. While we recall the birth of Jesus today, that one-time event that happened more than 2,000 years ago in a distant land is the best example of how God works in our lives every day. Jesus is the extension of God’s invitation to join our lives. Jesus is the proof of God’s love for each of us—God’s interest in participating in every aspect of our lives.
On today's Nativity, let us respond to God's love by welcoming Jesus into our lives and living as sons and daughters of God.