Christmas 2023

Christmas 2023

Each year we look forward to what Christmas really means as an individual promise that Scripture speaks of.  As each Sunday of Advent the Old Testament prophets layed out signs that would fulfill God’s promise of hope.  Yet, the progress of completing the final conclusion of a Savior still leaves a void until the Parousia arrives, and Christ appears again on earth.

Walk in the freshness of a winter snow without the noise of the city, and sense the aurora of something mystical about what now exists with just the nature of God walking alongside of you.   There is a feeling of comfort that arrives as each step brings peace in a world of so much confusion.  The same scenario existed 2,000 years ago when the world at that time experienced a loss of understanding of God and too many people went their own way without a true faith in him.  

Can you feel the turmoil that nation after nation has produced through greed and a lack of protecting life for their citizens.  If God created man to live with him in eternity why do so many of his creatures turn away and find ways to disrupt the freedoms he placed within each one?

Christmas eve we sing, pray, and adore the image of the new-born babe, who is Christ, as he is placed in the manger.  Angels appeared to shepherds in the fields with the multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  (Lk 2: 13 - 14).

The moment of truth arrived when Christ took upon himself mankind.  This is the fulfillment of what the prophets spoke of and is known as the Incarnation of the Son of God.  No other significance can be taught, spoken of intellectually, or understood by the most ardent theologian as God’s plan promised in Genesis and throughout biblical history has arrived in a stable for the poor, first, then all of mankind.

Luke's Gospel is the one where the poor are promulgated so vividly and it brings the story of Christmas to light especially in this 21st century of evil’s existence.  Take a look at the four mentions of scripture verses regarding  the poor in Luke.  (1) The Canticle of Mary;  “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.  He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.  The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”  (Lk 1: 51 - 53).  (2) The rejection at Nazareth;  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let prisoners go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”  (Lk 4: 18 - 19).  (3) Sermon on the plain: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours, Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.  Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.  Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.  Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!  Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.  For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.”  (Lk 6: 20 -23).  (4) The messengers from John the Baptist;  “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard; the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.  And blessed is the one who takes no offense in me.”  (Lk 7: 22 - 23). 

This is the real gospel when those who are poor in any manner hear this message of Christmas 

Given to us.  Lights, pretty presents under the tree, and songs of joy throughout the season are only sufficient if those of us with plenty remember the poor.

Looking at the current condition of the world’s upheaval and evil getting a foothold in all areas of life, many of us will feel the sense of being poor in spirit as well as wealth.  We are in a midst of evil that will overtake us without faith in God and lots of prayer.  This Christmas pray with a tenacious attitude that will become our mantra.   

Ralph B. Hathaway