“The whole world should be enrolled,” “for the grace of God has appeared, saving all.”
Christmas 2009
Scripture: Is. 9: 1 – 6; Titus 2: 11 -14; Lk 2: 1 -14
“The whole world should be enrolled,” “for the grace of God has appeared, saving all.”
Theme: The world is a creation of God. In it, all peace-lovers enjoy God’s “dominion” and call Him “Father-Forever.”
Introduction: The birth of a child was culturally more important in the Palestine of Jesus days than ours in which voices even cry for prevention of such great events. The meaning of Christmas as the simple joy of humanity rejoicing in a family event is tainted by the understanding of what a blessing a child could be to parents today. We have many other events that we celebrate but this is God’s way of relating to us: becoming one of us in this particular child, Jesus. Our short reflection may just consist of listing some of things we readily notice as gift and blessings and other realities we need more focus to see, and then the things that only God shows us as sure signs of his love. One guiding question might be who counts as belonging to our Church family of St John the Baptist in El-Cerrito? What place do we have for those we do not yet know? How are we intentionally mindful of “hidden presences?”
(1) Elements of the world readily known and counted
Some people are counted, well respected: Augustus Caesar, Quirinus and other rulers. Joseph and Mary and other citizens. Human passions are recognized. Through passions, many good things have been achieved in our world. Justice and temperance are virtues that we can name. Our own town and cultures count. Our own history counts, the rich count, the priests and leaders of the people count. Those who have given us something or given us love count. Gratitude is important, and knowledge of facts is important. But, are we open to growth?
(2) Elements accepted with due effort
Some groups are barely visible: Shepherds, unborn children, the poor. The invisible people of prophet Isaiah are now in the light. The “lifting of pressure from those oppressed” by various ills takes the effort of one who cares to remove the obstacles others neglect. Indeed, they will all hang on the shoulder of a little child in the future, whose personality is difficult to perceive now. Some of the obstacles, some of our enemies, we can overcome with great, consistent and sustained effort. However, there are battles and wars that we cannot win without ‘external ‘aid’. We may, with some training and discipline attain a certain level of devout life: willing what God wills for us. The effort can be summarized in the overcoming of fear: fear of the new, fear of opinion, fear of suffering, fear of loneliness. Work at progress is important. But are we open to grateful reception of surprises (beyond what we make)?
(3) God’s consecration of elements beyond our grasp
Things that only God reveals: The angels, the divinity of this particular child, “Christ and Lord” are pure gifts from God to our knowing ability. The unexpected victories in life and miracles come from God. Our “cleansing from lawlessness by our great God and savior Jesus Christ” is beyond the Law that is the highest authority over every citizen. Who among us is totally shaped into pure willingness to do the good? Jesus’ own eagerness to do just what is good by not even having the inclination to do wrong is divine, God’s favor to humanity by coming in the flesh. Let us relish our humanity with the birth of Christ today.
Conclusion: The enrollment of the whole world means ability to count all those parts that are not yet on the common list. We are called to remain open in our hearts to encounter God in ways not yet revealed. Christmas is about pointers of love around us. Some of them we can see, some take some searching and others come from the light of pure grace. Let our hearts and mind shower peace upon the entire world: on those who share our faith and those who do not, those we love and those we love less. Let us ask God to make the universe his home and give us His peace.
