Christmas Day

Is 9:1-6; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14

Today, allow me to share with you some short stories that would partly explain the meaning of Christmas.

A legend is told about an African boy called Emmanuel who was always asking questions. One day Emmanuel asked the question, “What language does God speak?” No one could answer him. He traveled all over his own country with the same question, but still did not receive an answer.

Eventually, Emmanuel set off in search of the answer on other continents. For a long time, he had no success. At last he came one night to a village called Bethlehem. Since there was no room in the local inns, he went outside the village in search of a shelter for the night. He came to a cave, and he saw that it was occupied by a couple and a child.

Emmanuel was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, “Welcome, Emmanuel, we’ve been expecting you.” The boy was amazed that the woman knew his name. He was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to find out what language God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight, you can see with your own eyes what language God speaks. He speaks the language of love, which is expressed in simplicity, sharing, love, understanding, mercy and total acceptance.” 

What is the story telling us? The story reminds us that Jesus, first of all, is the Language of God. The Word made flesh. Irrespective of race and tongue, we are capable of understanding God’s Revelation because of the person of Jesus. He is the fullness of Divine Revelation. Everything that Jesus did and said manifest fully God’s love for humanity. This reminder should put an end to other images that we have about God. Jesus is the final Word. He expresses God as gentle Father, as Good Shepherd, not a merciless judge or harsh king.

A boy of seven asks, “Daddy, where can I find God?” 

The father gently replies, “Go and fetch some water from our well. When you look down the well, you will see God. But be careful.”

The boy does exactly as he is told. He then returns and tells his father that he did not see God in the well. 

“What did you see?” the father asks. 

The boy replies that he saw only his reflection. 

And the father says, “Then you have seen God, for he lives in you.”

What is the message of the story? Because of Jesus, the “seeming” boundary between the Divine and humanity is gone. God the Father decides to be one with humankind thru His Son Jesus Christ, and He in the Spirit dwells in each one of us. The mystery of the Incarnation explains the words of Jesus: “Whenever two or three of you gather in my name, I am in their midst”; “Whatever you do to the least of these little ones, you did it to me”. This means that we are extensions of Jesus, parts of God’s Word. Through us, with us, in us, God expresses Himself and His love. 

Every person’s heart can contain God. If such is so, we must be very careful never to wound a person’s heart.

A little girl asks, “Mom, how does God look like?”

The mother struggles to find an answer to the question. “Well, God is good. He is very caring and loving. He is a good provider and is very protective.”

The little girl exclaims, “Now, I know how God looks like. He is like daddy.”

What is the meaning of the story? From the beginning, we are created in God’s image and likeness. Whenever we do something good for another, we make real the image of God in us. Why do some people have a hard time understanding a God who is full of love and compassion? It could be because of bad catechesis or wrong instruction. However, the reason could also be the absence of a loving figure in their lives. How can an individual develop an understanding of a merciful God if others around him are hateful, quick to judgment and slow to forgiveness? 

Once upon a time there was an old, pious, Jewish couple. Their greatest hope was to have a child so that their love could walk the earth. So they prayed hard. Lo and behold the woman conceived. She gave birth to a delightful little boy, whom they named Razik. The boy grew in age and wisdom until it was time for him to go to the synagogue and learn the Word of God.

The night before his studies began, his parents sat Razik down and told him how important the Word of God was. Without the Word of God, they said, Razik would be as a frail leaf shaken by powerful winds. He listened wide-eyed.

Yet the next day, Razik never arrived at the synagogue. Instead, he spent his time in the woods, swimming in the lakes, climbing trees. His parents, upon hearing this, were mortified. Filled with shame and concern, they called upon the best experts: behavior scientists, child psychologists, and psychoanalysts to help the boy; but to no avail. Razik did not go to the synagogue; he stayed in the woods, swimming, climbing trees. 

Finally, the great Rabbi visited the village and his parents said to themselves, “Perhaps the Great Rabbi can help us.” They took Razik to the Rabbi and told their problem. The Great Rabbi bellowed, “Leave the boy with me and I will have a talking with him.”

The terrified parents rushed out of the room, fearful for their son, alone with that lion of a man. But when they had left, the Rabbi simply beckoned to the boy. “Razik, come here.” Trembling, Razik came forward. And the great Rabbi simply picked him up and held him silently against his heart.

His parents came to take Razik home. The next day, Razik went to the synagogue to study the Word of God. And on his way home, he went once again to the woods. And, the Word of God became one with the Word of the woods which became one with the word of Razik.

And Razik himself grew up to become a great rabbi. People came to him who were seized with inner panic, and with him they found peace. People came to him who were without anybody and with him they often found communion. But Razik often said, “I first learned the Word of God when the great Rabbi held me silently against his heart.”

What is the important lesson of the story? The Language of God is passed on effectively when one generation holds the next generation to its heart. Some parents have a hard time with their children. Maybe the children are spending more time in the woods with their peers drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Or, the children are busy swimming and surfing on the internet, having little time for personal interactions with others in the house. Or, the children are busy climbing trees or aiming higher positions in places of work, forgetting God and the Church. Dear parents, please do not be discouraged. Whenever and wherever it is possible, hold your children silently to your heart. Whisper some advice but do not bombard them with endless sermons or hurtful words. Dear children, please forgive us if we have hurt you with our bad examples or unkind words. Remember that we love you and we only wish what is good for you. Because of our eagerness to lead you to the right path, we sometimes express ourselves forcefully. We just hope that you can extend more patience to us. And, most of all, that you allow us to keep you closely to our hearts.

Merry Christmas to all of you!