By: The Most Reverend Bishop Stephen J. Berg
The Pueblo Chieftain
Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024
We are hours before Christmas. Our Blessed Mother, in luminous celebration as Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Immaculate Conception, is standing close by. In God’s time, she and Joseph, have arrived in Bethlehem and have discovered there is no room at the inn. It has been a journey of unprecedented cosmic purification. A birth is about to take place to change the world. Quietly the deep heavens are prepared.
The apocalyptic readings leading to Advent foretold not only the first but the second coming of Christ. Two comings are intrinsically tied together in our Christian understanding of the temporal world as created by God. The earth was born in a primordial struggle between chaos and God, and evil was restrained. Then came the wounding of original sin, the choice of Adam and Eve, the proof that the privilege and responsibility of free will is a gift of highest consequence, to be irrevocably honored.
Now, the need for a savior. With the Yes of the Virgin Mary, another free choice has been made. God will enter creation as man Himself; to teach, heal and prophesy. To suffer, die and be resurrected. To return in the Spirit and offer salvation to all who will be baptized into His sacrifice and mission. For unto us a child is born ... A son is given ... And His name will be Wonderful Counselor, God Hero, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).
Joseph and Mary, heavy with child, are directed to a filthy manger. With Christmas eyes on the first coming, we are called to contemplate the second. God’s gentle invasion into the world through the womb of a virgin is not sentimental. He shall be victorious. There is a day of the Lord to come where the heavens resound, the Lamb shall return in glory, and all creation returned to the Creator. The ultimate weapon of victory shall be the weapon of Love. The first Christmas has arrived, the second Christmas has dawned. Christ will come again.
What signs do we see of His coming? The crowds in the Gospel of Luke see signs and portents of a cosmic upheaval and turn to John the Baptist: “What should we do?” He answers in effect, “Live generously and honestly with others, turn away from material distraction, repent, and turn back to God. A few understand this then. It is the same today.
It is with extraordinary humility that we must acknowledge that each one of us is made in the image and likeness of that child born of Mary and that Prince of Peace who is to come again. Our necessary repentance, letting go of personal progress and worldly concerns, returning to the first causes, is given into our preparations for the celebration of the first and in anticipation of the second, final Christmas. Do we see/feel/experience an anticipation of great joy, or something less? Cynicism? Dread?
We must pause, step back and return to the real meaning of Christmas. Something needs to be prepared and purified, that these expectations be not dread but rather anticipation of great joy. Are we ready to welcome this child Jesus into our hearts, our homes, our lives? It is time to choose our God freely, His plan, this Child. Ask, listen, watch, prepare and pray. He is already present. He comes then, once long ago, and someday to come, again.
Know of my heartfelt prayers for you and your family this Christmas, through a hopeful, blessed New Year.
Come, Lord Jesus, Come...
