Luke begins his story of Jesus’ being born to Mary and Joseph by tell us what was going on in that part of the world at the time of Jesus’ birth. Caesar Augustus was ruler of what seemed to be the whole world. Caesar had brought peace to the Roman empire after almost a hundred years of civil strife. The great Roman poet Virgil considered Caesar Augustus to be the epitome of the virtuous ruler. But Luke gives us a glimpse of how the baby Jesus, born in a humble manger, will become an ever more glorious ruler, much greater than Caesar. Luke the Evangelist tells us that the angels are singing for joy in the heavens at the news of Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
We live in a world of continued conflict and war. Right now we have war between Russia and Ukraine. We have the current manifestation of a long drawn out military conflict in the Holy Land. There are numerous civil wars and conflicts in countries all over the world. There is violence and conflict right here in the Jackson metro area. Some of us may ask: where is the peace on earth of which the angels sing? Why is there so much violence and war at a time when we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of our savior and the values of God’s kingdom?
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us new life in baptism. He asks us to live according to the values of his Good News even during our lives here on earth. Jesus asks us to receive his peace in our hearts and to practice that peace each day: reconciling with our enemies, reaching out to our neighbor, putting God at the center of our lives, bringing the love of God to the poor and the oppressed, living our lives as servants of the Lord, and working together toward peace and healing here on earth. Jesus’ birth, which we celebrate with great joy today, represents the beginning of the eternal peace of God’s kingdom. Isaiah, who lived many centuries before Christ’s birth, prophesied Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Isaiah saw Jesus as a great light that will be brought to all who walk in darkness.
We have Uno the lamb with us at Mass everyday. I hope all of you children and youth see Uno as representing how God reaches out to all of us in the Mass: to the all the children, the youth, and the adults. More important, Uno represents the lost sheep. Jesus always seeks out the person who needs his help the most. And all of us can feel like the lost sheep in many ways. But know, children and youth, more than anything, that the message of Christmas, the message of Christ birth, is the message that Jesus is always there for us, especially when we need him the most.
May we all receive the message of Christ’s birth today with joy, with awe, and with wonder.
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