Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
CELEBRATING
THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE HEARTS OF HUMANITY
Today Christ is
born, today the Prince of Peace is born, today a great light has shone on the
darkened world of humanity. Today the people who walked in the darkness of sin
and shame, a great light has shone, and God has visited his people. So, let us
join the angels’ hymn of praise, as they sing out following the announcement of
the new-born Saviour: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men
of goodwill.”
For
today we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour in a manger in
Bethlehem. In the manger of Bethlehem, there appeared the great light which the
world awaits. He is the Christ, the Word that was with God from the beginning.
The Word is the true light that enlightens all men. This Word has come into the
world, for the Word was made Flesh and dwell among us, the Son of God who
became man. To him, the Father says: "You are my Son, today I have
begotten you”. God has become one of us so that we can be with him and become
like him, for this is how we come to know him.
Little
wonder, prophet Isaiah in our first reading today says: “How beautiful on the
mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings
happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is King, for all the
ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Thus, for those who
dwelt in the land of deep darkness a great light has shone. This light means
knowledge; it means truth, as contrasts with the darkness of falsehood and
ignorance. This Light gives us life, it shows us the way to love. For in him is
the fullness of love. Where there is love, light shines forth for the world;
but when there is hatred, the world remains in darkness.
Hence,
in Child Jesus lying in the manger, God has shown his glory, the glory of love
in order to guide us along the way of love. From manger, a stream of light,
love and truth will spread to every generation. In every age, it will touch men
and women to enlighten them. And wherever people put their faith in Jesus, the
grace of charity will spring up, the grace of love towards others, loving
concern for the weak, the poor and the suffering, the grace of forgiveness and
grace of peace in our homes, societies, and the world at large.
Dear
friends, Christ is our Light and our Peace, and he proclaims his peace to those
far away and to those who are near. This is why the prophet Isaiah called him
"Prince of Peace". His kingdom is said to be one "of Endless
Peace". Also, Pope Benedict XVI will say: that “among we Christians and
Catholic, the word "peace" has taken on a very particular meaning: it
has become a word to designate communion in the Eucharist. There Christ’s peace
is present. In all the places where the Eucharist is celebrated, a great
network of peace spreads through the world. The communities gathered around the
Eucharist make up a kingdom of peace as wide as the world itself. For, when we
celebrate the Eucharist we find ourselves in Bethlehem, in the "house of
bread". Where Christ gives himself to us and, by so doing, he gives us his
peace”.
At the
Eucharist Jesus exchanges his Divinity with our humanity. He exchanges his
glory with our sadness and pain. In the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his love with
our hatred, in the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his mercy with our unforgiveness.
In the Eucharist Jesus exchanges our sinfulness with his holiness and purity.
So, today he has come to offer us his love are we ready to embrace it? Are we
ready to say yes to Jesus? Are we ready to accept him and the salvation he has
come to offer us? Are we ready to let go of our ugly behaviour in order to
embrace the new life he is offering us? The new life of grace, peace, love,
joy, faith, courage, wisdom and favours? If your answer is yes, then the
essence of this Christmas has been fulfilled.
Therefore,
let us join Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds in the manger to sing
the glorious hymns of praise saying: "Glory to God in the highest"
and on earth, peace to people of goodwill". Let us spread this joy and
peace everywhere we go even to the ends of the earth. And as we do this may the
joy of the child Jesus fill our hearts, our homes, our societies, our country
and the world a large, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Merry
Christmas, wishing you a joyful and peaceful celebration of this season. God
bless you.
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