Word to the Wise
Friday, December 24, 2021 - Dec. 24 (morning Mass)
[2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 and Luke 1:67-79]"The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.' [2 Samuel] "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David........This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life." [Luke]
Christmas Eve brings a recap of the broad theme of promise and fulfillment in Advent. The two big promises - the first to Abraham and the second to King David - are featured in the first and second scriptures for any Eucharist that is celebrated earlier in the day. The promise to Abraham was made when he showed his willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, at God's command! [Genesis 22:16-18]. The Canticle of Zechariah, which forms the gospel scripture for today, mentions both promises. The first scripture, from 2 Samuel, features the promise to King David.
The "infancy narratives" of the gospels according to Matthew and Luke are really overtures to the broader message of each of those gospels. All four gospels are each a separate "preaching" about the meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, Matthew and Luke open up the great "meta-narrative" of God's whole plan of salvation from the time of Abraham (in Luke's case, the time of Adam! Luke 3:23-38).
This evening all attention will be focused on Bethlehem, the city of David, and on a stable manger with "Baby Jesus" and Mary and Joseph. But the presence of the Star, the shepherds, the Magi (and even an adult John the Baptist in some) in various figurines testifies that the birth of Jesus is an event far bigger than the tiny territory of Israel. It was and is an event that impacts our life of faith every day, but this evening and tomorrow, we can particularly celebrate with the proclamation: CHRIST IS BORN! ALLELUIA! To each and every one of my Beloved Congregation, I wish a blessed and joyful Christmas celebration! AMEN!