Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5. 16-17.27.29 R/ v.2; Acts 13:16-17.22-25; Matthew 1:1-25.
“I WILL NOT BE SILENT!"
By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide
· Today we gather here to herald the birth of the saviour of the world. The king of glory is born in a manger. The God of doctors could not find midwives to deliver him. The creator of heaven and earth could not find a decent hospital to be born in hence, he was born in the manger.
· The birth of the innocent son of the God of the universe was not heralded with shouts of joy and great merriment among his people, rather it was greeted with jealousy and envy that King Herod wanted to kill him. In that helpless state, Joseph had to flee with a fragile Mary to birth the savior of the world in a foreign land.
· Friends in Christ, we can go on and on to fish out the extent God had to go in order to save mankind. Christmas is not an end in itself, it is rather a means to an end. The means is the birth of the saviour of the world. The end is the salvation his birth will bring through his death on the cross of Calvary.
· The summary of what we have gathered here to celebrate here this night is that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." We celebrate the incarnation of God in our midst and in our own likeness. God took our nature, to redeem and sanctify us. That is why Christmas is a joyful season because, beyond the rice, chicken, new clothes, travels, and visits, our salvation is guaranteed.
· In the first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5), the Prophet Isaiah tells us that for our sake God will not keep silent. He will remain busy until we are saved and vindicated. If God is not silent about us, our lives, our needs, our future and all that concerns us, why are we silent and indifferent about God?
· The prophet lists the beauty and joy that the incarnation of God will bring into our midst. God is coming to vindicate us. God will restore our joy again we shall be called by a new name. You no more be forsaken but we shall find favour with God. Joy is coming, peace is coming, hope is coming and Restoration is coming because God has remembered you and for your sake, he will not be silent. How can we enjoy these magnanimous favours from a be silent?
· We cannot be silent while thinking about what God has done for us. We cannot seat on the fence. We cannot be indifferent in the face of this undeserved favour from God. Our response must be that of Holiness, righteousness, and genuine hunger for the things of God. When we will it, we must live it. Like the Psalmist we ought to say, "I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord." (Ps. 89: 2).
· St. Paul in the second reading (Acts 13: 16-17.22-25), gives a brief reason why Christ had to be born. Just as the people of God were delivered from slavery in Egypt, the newborn king is coming also to save us from sin and death. Therefore, we must not keep silent!
· The promise made David the man after God's own heart is fulfilled today. God brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus, as he promised. The newborn king that is born to us today is he whom John the Baptist said, "he is not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals."
· Friends in Christ, while we bask in the joy of Christmas, the joy that is unquantifiable because our saviour is born and our salvation is guaranteed. It is important that God choose a human lineage to bring forth his son.
· Notice that the human history of Jesus wasn't perfect. Notice that the grandparents of the saviour of the world had their baggage yet God chose them. Imperfect people brought about a perfect God. We will not keep silent!
· Dearly beloved, we may be imperfect, but God is done with you yet. He can still bring about great things in your life. Why give up on yourself when God never gave up on you? For your sake, God did not keep silent. He sent his only begotten son to be born so that he can save you.
· The joy of Christmas is that he is in you and he is with you in all that you do. God is born for us. His name is Emmanuel which means - God is with us! Since God is with us, we cannot keep silent. Let us celebrate the gift of God in our midst. Let us celebrate the fact the world became flesh and dwelt among us. Let us celebrate because we are Emmanuel people.
· We cannot keep silent, but the greatest form of the proclamation of the new born king is by letting him be known by all who meet us. We, therefore, will realise the risk that God took to save us. The fact that he took the initiative to save. Let us also take the initiative to serve him with all our lives, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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