Rev Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

CHRISTMAS SERMON – 2014

Good evening my spiritual brothers and sisters in Jesus. Tonight (today), as I look around, I see so many faces bursting with joy. Why is everyone so happy? It is because a Child has been born for us. On this joyful (evening or day) night, we are celebrating the day of Christmas that commemorates the coming of Baby Jesus into this world and into our lives. Who would have ever imagined two thousand years ago that the Lord God would have set aside His almighty power to incarnate in human form so He could be with us, His creations that He loves so much?

As we gaze at the manger that has been set up in our Church, this reminds us of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus. Because there was no room in the warmth of the inn, Baby Jesus was born in the open under the stars. This makes us wonder, why did He choose such a poor environment to be born in? Surely, as our King, as the King of kings, He deserved better! But this is what Jesus wanted! This was His way of teaching us that holiness is found in poverty, in humility, in servitude, in suffering, etc...

Through this humble birth, the shepherds were privileged to visit and adore Baby Jesus. Had Jesus been born as a King in a palace, only the rich and famous would have been able to approach Him. But Jesus did not come just for the royal and famous. He came into this world for all of us. That includes you and me.

On this special (day) night, by the grace of God, I suppose that we are all glowing with a spirit of joy and peace. This great inner joy and peace is different than what we normally enjoy during the year. There is something special about this spiritual joy and peace. Let us always remember it! May our hearts be soaked in it! Let us cherish it! Throughout the year, we should always strive to draw upon this very special spiritual manifestation of Jesus so we may continue to enjoy it over and over again.

(This evening or today) Tonight, we get the impression that we are surrounded by a bright and powerful light, a light of shining love, the light of Jesus. Although through our physical eyes, it does not appear that much is different in the Church tonight compared to yesterday or last Sunday, yet in our hearts, we know that there is something very different. Baby Jesus is really present here with us (this evening or today) tonight. So is the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, many of the saints and endless angels. All are commemorating the Birth of Jesus. (This evening or today) Tonight, we are surrounded by the Divine light of love that is intended to unite us all closer and closer as one within the invisible Mystical Body of Christ.

Now I would like to draw your attention towards the crib that we have made. Hope you all have seen the crib very closely. When we look at the crib it really brings us a kind of joy as if Jesus is indeed born in our own place. But whenever I look at a crib, it makes me a little sad, because one of my favourite person, who really deserves to get a place in the crib, is not found in that crib. Can anyone guess...? He is the owner of the stable and the manger. No one remembers him. Joseph and Mary knocked the doors of many rich and royal people to get a place for Jesus to be born. But no one offered a place. Probably Joseph and Mary’s outward poverty is the guardian of this mystery. If Joseph and Mary had looked as if they were rich, people would have made room for them in their houses or at least in the inn, because of Mary’s condition. They would have turned out other less important guests; they would have found a way to keep them. Since Joseph and Mary looked poor, they neglected them. But another poor person comes forward to offer his small cow-shed all that he had for Messiah to be born. No one knows who that person was..! Nothing about him is recorded even in the scripture. Why..? Probably because he was a very poor man and might be an outcast. That is why no one minded him and no one bothered to remember him. If it were to be a king or royal rich person offered a place in their house or palace, I am sure his name would have been known very popularly now and even his name would have found a place in the scripture. Whomever God chose and included in his birth, they are neglected by the world (by us) today.

Friends, I am not trying to find fault or blame someone now. But I would like all of us to reflect on this truth. This crib belongs to that poor person, where as we forgot him and denied a place in the crib. We just forgot and neglected him and did not mind giving him at least a corner place in his own crib. Once again I am not here to blame anybody, but trying to point out the attitude of the whole humanity. 2000 years before people had the attitude of neglecting the poor and needy and the same attitude has not been changed very much even now. Jesus always wants to be born in similar poor and humble situation.

Christmas is the time to remember family, friends and all our dear ones. We send them a card and exchange gifts and even wish them “Happy Christmas” by hugging and shaking hands with them. But do we mind remember the poor, needy, homeless and the so called outcast? If we don’t include them in our Christmas celebration, I believe our celebration won’t be a meaningful one.

The Messiah chose to be born in a poor man’s place and He said that he came for them. But if we have no time to care for them, then our celebration won’t be a meaningful one.

I just remember a story about a father and his son.

After his office work, the father usually returns home very late in the night around 10 p.m. His little son, who is normally asleep in bed by then, keeps awake that day. As the father enters the house, he stops him at the door and asks, “Daddy, what is your salary?”Shocked at this rude question, he shouts at the child and goes to have a quick shower. As he comes out, the son again asks, “What is your salary dad?”Annoyed by this, the father replies, “100 Rupees per hour, is that enough?” “If that is the case, Dad, can you give me 50 Rupees?” Now the father shouts at him more and chased to his room and sits to watch television. The son went to his room with eyes full of tears. On second thoughts, the father was wondering whether he was too hard on his son. So he returns to his boy’s bedroom only to find him still awake and sobbing. To calm him down and make peace with him, the father asks politely, “son, why do you need 50 Rupees? Did they ask you in the school?” “No, Dad. Didn’t you say that you earn 100 Rupees per hour? I still have the $ 50 you gave me as pocket money the last month. Now if you give me another 50 Rupees, I can add that up and give you back 100 Rupees. This will help you to spend an hour with me. That’s why I asked for 50 Rupees.” Touched and ashamed by his reply, father affectionately embraced the son. For the son, the father’s love is very important. Love longs for the presence of the loved one.

Christmas is the occasion to remember and celebrate God’s presence among us. Christmas is also the time when we must reflect about our willingness to be present to the others. There are many opportunities to help others who are poor, feeling down and excluded from the families and others. These people of God need our care, concern and support. They are our Christmas blessings. Let us include them also in our Christmas celebration. Christmas is also a time for gifts and sharing. This is simply because God gifted us His only son Jesus Christ. During this Christmas, it is possible to receive this precious gift and treasure it in our hearts.

Yes, how often we thought of giving ourselves to others? Giving ourselves implies spending resources, time and talents for enhancing the life and happiness of others, especially for the poor. Christmas is a season of giving and the measure of being a Christian is to show our love and care to others. True love consists in what we give and do for another. Buying a gift is often much easier, but sometimes just being present there and being supportive can bring so much joy and happiness to others. In some case, presence and emotional support are better than monetary and material gifts. So let us present ourselves along with the presence of God to the people who are really in need of. In our given situation today we could include just one poor person and give him a meal and cloth him. That will bring the real joy, peace and hope that Jesus brought to us today. This is how we are giving a place for the poor owner of that stable in our crib.

As we continue to worship Baby Jesus during the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us remember that "a child has been born for all of us." Try to have a meaningful Christmas. May our new born Child Jesus bless you with joy, peace and hope & keep you safe forever.