The Word Made Flesh Is Among Us!

Readings: 1st: Is 52:7-10; Ps: 97:1-6; 2nd: Heb 1:1-6; Gos: John 1:1-18

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: 

canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

“Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders.” Today is Christmas, the day we have long awaited. Christmas is a milestone in the history of our salvation. So, it is wonderful to know that “God is With Us.”

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Today, God has proved the depth of his love by fulfilling his promise. The Word of God is no longer just the message spoken by prophets. It is now a human person. The Word has become flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary. The central message of today’s celebration is the incarnation and the fullness of God’s divine revelation in Christ.

Our first reading from Isaiah finds its sphere of accomplishment in the birth of Jesus Christ and His life and ministry. Isaiah proclaims: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings Good News.” Indeed, the Good News himself is among us. It is the Good News of love, peace, charity, and happiness. Above all, it is the Good News of life and salvation.

Therefore, we, who have waited faithfully, patiently, and vigilantly during the Advent season, must raise our voices and shout for joy because the Lord our God is now with us. Today, the prophet’s call is to celebrate Emmanuel, God, with us. It is a call to be joyful.

In our second reading, the letter to the Hebrews captures and presents what God did for us today in a spectacular manner: “God Spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time…he has spoken to us through the son he appointed to inherit everything…He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature.” 

The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that God fulfilled the promise he made through the prophet in the past. This is by revealing the hidden mystery of our salvation. Now, we are the favored ones. That is, as many of us have received the newborn baby into our hearts. Revelation has reached its apogee today, and the hidden mystery of the old covenant has been fully revealed in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we need no more public revelation.

The gospel of John also gives us a synopsis of what happened today. That is, the divine incarnation of God: The Word was made flesh, He lived among us, and we saw His glory.”  The Word, which was with the Father as Spirit, is now with us both as flesh and spirit. Hence, while not losing His divinity, God, through Christ, his son, has condescended to become like us. What a great love that God has shown us, his people!

Therefore, today we celebrate Sacrifice. So, we, too, must be ready to sacrifice something for the good of our brothers and sisters as Christ did by coming to share in our nature. We celebrate today’s Humility. So, we must learn to be humble from Christ, who, despite being God, took our nature. We celebrate the reign of peace. That is, peace not as the world gives it, but as God promised to offer it to those who believe in him (Jn 14, 21). Also, we celebrate the accomplishment of hope in Jesus Christ.

Finally, today is a day of joy. So, I wish all of you, my dear brethren, a wonderful and fun-filled celebration this joyful season. Therefore, let us: “Sing psalms to the Lord with harps. With the sound of trumpets and the horn, let us acclaim the King, the Lord” who is with us. 

Merry Christmas!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!