Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

A lamb born

For the slaughterhouse

O sunrise

Is 52:7-10 / Heb 1:1-6 / Jn 1:1-18

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

The Sun has risen
Bringing unexpected gifts
Dare you unwrap them?

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

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Today, we celebrate our Parent's grand plan: they simply decided to join us. Yes, God became one of us, in all our idiotic glory. They wanted us to be able to feel our hands in theirs when they tell us to be unafraid. They wanted us to see that they know what it is like to walk in darkness, and what it means to hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. They wanted us to know that we are not alone. Regardless of the countless times we refuse to trust them, they will always offer us their presence. Yes, today is truly a day of good news, for upon us all, divine favor rests. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalms 96:1-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalms 96:1-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone." Today we remember our Brother, who came to illuminate the kingdom. And as terrifying as that sight can be, no other will ever match its beauty. So let us sing alleluia, and give glory to our God. For they are our hope and salvation, now and forever.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalms 96:1-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

"Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord." Woo-hoo! God is here to fix all our problems and clean up our messes! It's like a fairy tale come true; if fairy tales included crucifixion. Now, I'm not trying to be a buzzkill. Today is a day for rejoicing. But as we celebrate our good fortune, let us also remember that grace comes on God's terms not our own. So do not expect our Savior to adhere to our blueprint for the kingdom. He has her own plan in mind for what we need.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

The readings speak of a mighty and powerful God, and yet that is not the image of the divine that we celebrate today. No, today we remember that God chose to be one of us exactly as we are: fragile, vulnerable, and thoroughly dependent. Does that say more about God's beauty or our own?

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

Today is a celebration of good news, but is the news that you celebrate truth or fantasy? Why must we categorize and label that which cannot be labeled? Why must we revere our Brother as something he was not? Do you really think he came to be exalted? Is he someone above us to whom we are pleading for a rope, or someone below who is pushing us ever higher? Is he truly the only son of our Parent, or the only one with the courage to claim our full birthright? Is he truly the only one to have ever seen our Creator, or just one truly willing to look and see? What good news will you celebrate today?

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 9: 1-6; Titus 2: 11-14; Luke 2: 1-14

Rejoice my friends, for tonight love comes into the world once more. Did you think that the nativity was a one time event? Did you think that Jesus only came once, and now we must patiently await his return? Fools! Jesus never left us, because love never leaves us, we just forget about it for awhile. Tonight is a moment when we are called to remember that God comes to us each day in love. We are his beloved children, not just in some symbolic sense, but in a real and true way. So let us celebrate not just the divine birthay of our Brother, but also our own. Have a very merry Christmas!