HOMILY FOR THE VIGIL OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD YEAR C.

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Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5.16-17. 27.29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25.

“WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN?”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      This night of the vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, we reflect on the numerous blessings of God upon our lives. It is a great privilege to witness this day. A lot of people longed for it but never witnessed it. We who are here must praise God with songs of thanksgiving.

·      At Christmas, we celebrate not just the fact that Jesus is born in our midst but the greater privilege of witnessing God taking upon himself our human nature; so that we, in turn, may take upon ourselves his divine nature. At Christmas, divinity is wedded to humanity and this is what we celebrate this night.

·      So much talk about Christmas, so many preparations; from buying new clothes, shoes, to new houses or at least repainted, re-arranged or renovated. Some will travel to be with their loved ones. Someone once joked that “all the money we worked for from the beginning of the year are all spent at Christmas only to begin afresh in the new year”. No amount of preparation or spending will be too much to celebrate the birth of the savior of the world. But we must do that wisely and within our means.

·      Beyond the celebrations and funfair, we Christians must constantly ask ourselves what does Christmas mean for us and the world at large? Reflecting on the readings, we will be able to draw the message of what Christmas should be for every Christian.

·      The gospel reading (Matt. 1:1-25), sets the tone for our reflection on what Christmas means to us. It is called the human origin of the newborn king as descended from the house of David. The genealogy of Jesus is wrapped in a lot of controversies because of the caliber of persons who formed his human ancestors.

·      First, was it a mistake that Jesus descended humanly speaking from the linage of David as both an adulterer and a murderer? Rahab was also a prostitute. How can God use something imperfect to bring about perfection? In the genealogy of Jesus, God demonstrates that with him all things are possible (), and he writes straight on crooked lines.

·      The lesson we draw from this is that our destination is more important than our origin. Our background should not determine the height of our achievements. Jesus may have been born from sinful ancestors, yet he was sinless. We must not continue to dwell on our weaknesses and continue to wallow in sin. Something great can still come out of us if we make that decision today.

·      St. Paul in the second reading (Acts 13:16-17,22-25), also testifies to the human origin of Jesus and how it has been foretold long ago that the Messiah shall come from the house of David. And John the Baptist also spoke about this son that is to be borne whose sandals he is not worthy to untie. That is the greatness of the one whose birth vigil we have gathered for, this night.

·      The birth of Jesus comes with a lot of promises which if we dispose of our minds and have made adequate spiritual preparation we will enjoy. The birth of Jesus fills us with hope, faith, and joy, that our belief in God is not in vain.

·      The first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5), confirms these promises which is a blessing for us gathered here this night. Because we have gathered here for the vigil of the Lord’s birth, God will not keep quiet in our case, Amen! Because you are here to celebrate the Lord’s birth, the Lord shall speak for you and set you free from every form of demonic accusations. Amen! 

·      The Lord will restore your lost glory, Amen! And because of your liberation, the Lord will call you by a new name. Your name shall be favor, blessing, and boundless testimonies. Amen! You shall be a crown of beauty and excellence in the hand of God. The Lord shall not forsake you, and your land shall not be termed desolate. The Lord will delight in you. God shall rejoice over you, Amen!

·      Today, all that the Lord requires each of us to dissociate ourselves from the shackles of our sinful past and make a sincere resolve to dwell in the purity of the newborn king at Christmas. And like the Psalmist, we “will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord” (Ps. 89:2).

·      May the birth of Jesus bring us joy, peace, hope, true love, and a total turnaround of our lives and destiny through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Christmas!!!

 

 

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