Christmas Eve | 2017

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 

The first chapter in the Gospel of John begins: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 1:1-5). And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14).

Why did the Son of God come among us as a human being? Why was the "Word made flesh?" The Word became man to show the world God’s immense "grace and truth." The Word was God’s steadfast love in the person of Jesus. Christmas is more than just the birth of Our Savior. It is a celebration of God with us. It is the realization that God’s love and faithfulness dwells among us. It is a sign that we are to radiate the love and faithfulness of Christ in service to others. Like the Baptist, we, too, are to witness to the Divine Logos, God’s living, breathing Word.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.