As we celebrate Christmas this year, it’s good to reflect on the reason for the Incarnation and Christ’s coming to us as a man. In the Nicene Creed, we profess that Christ became incarnate for us and for our salvation. It is ultimately out of love for us that he came to save us from the power of sin and death.
After the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, that harmonious relationship with God which existed was broken. Perfect harmony was also lost in relationships among human beings. In addition, man’s relationship with the created world and material creation was damaged. Adam and Eve were not the only ones affected by the result of sin, however, but each of us as well, as we have descended from them. Simply taking a look around us and even within our own hearts, we see the effects of original sin still present.
Because of our wounded human nature, it very easy for us to fall into personal sin, becoming slaves to the passions of the flesh and enemies of God. Sadly, there was nothing we could do to rectify this situation on our own. We needed God’s forgiveness and grace.
Ultimately, it was because of God’s great love for us that he became incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. He took on our human nature and suffered a most agonizing death to save us from our sins and to open the gates of heaven for us, those to whom paradise had been closed off since the fall.
Looking at the readings from Midnight Mass gives us a good glimpse of this great mystery of our faith, from the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the incarnation and birth of Christ. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, we hear: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who have dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:2). There is a tone of rejoicing in this statement as the people hear the prophecy that the rod of their oppressor is broken. Literally, the oppressors of the Northern Kingdom of Israel at this time were the Assyrians.
Despite the threats from the oppressor, hope is given as “a child is born.” This was not just any child, but one in which the government would be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Further, it is revealed that “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” The people have seen a great light as this child to be born is the light of the world, who came to reconcile the world to God through his passion, death and resurrection and to bring us true and lasting peace, the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.
Ephrem the Syrian comments on the description of the child as ‘Wonderful’ stating: “for a wonder it is that God should reveal himself as a baby.” Think about that. The all-powerful and infinite God coming to us as a weak and defenseless little baby. As one priest has written, if I can believe that the all powerful God became a little baby, I can easily believe all the other miracles that Christ performed – including giving Himself to us under the form of bread and wine and rising from the dead!
Theodoret of Cyr also points out how this prophecy of Isaiah can be used as an apologetic for the divine maternity of Mary. He simply states that if the child is called “Mighty God,” then it makes perfect sense that his mother would be called the “mother of God.” For “the mother shares the honor of her offspring, and the Virgin is both the mother of the Lord Christ as man and again is his servant as Lord and Creator and God.”
Psalm 96 continues this joyful tone by declaring that one ought to sing to the Lord a new song. “Let the heavens and the earth rejoice.” “Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes.” The Lord comes…as a little child. The Lord comes at every Mass under the form of bread and wine!
St. Paul’s letter to Titus again explains the reason for Christ’s coming among us sinners. Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.” By taking on human flesh and becoming a little child, He is able to give himself up for love us and to reconcile us to Himself.
After the birth of Jesus, as recounted in St. Luke’s gospel, we hear that he was laid in a manger. This was the sign that the shepherds were to witness: “a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” We are very familiar with this image so it might not strike us as out of the ordinary, but in fact, as a feeding trough for animals, the manger was no ordinary crib for an infant. Jesus, the Bread of Life, born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread,” was laid in a feeding trough. Does this bring any Eucharistic imagery to mind? “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:53). This Jesus, who was the king of kings and Lord of Lords and who came to save us from our sins, was not born in a palace and laid in a fancy bed, but rather in a manger. He was rich and yet became poor for our sakes, so that by his poverty, we might become rich. Though he was rich he became poor, to teach us that by being poor in spirit, we might win the kingdom of heaven.
So what does all of this mean for us today? This historical event of the birth of Christ took place over 2,000 years ago! By reflecting on this great mystery of our faith, we can cultivate gratitude for the work of redemption accomplished by God becoming man for our sakes. Yes, we still deal with the effects of original sin, but we are not doomed to eternal misery, but rather have the opportunity now, thanks to our God becoming man and laying down his life for us, to enjoy eternal happiness with Him. This cultivation of gratitude can be a foretaste of the gratitude with which we will praise God for ever with all the saints in heaven.
By Rev. Br. Patrick Mary
