During these past few months, I have noticed a very clever television commercial that has been running in the shopping preparation for Christmas. A little girl tells her parents that she wants to be a princess. The parents go out and search for all sorts of toys that will satisfy the girl's wishes. After they finish all that shopping, the girl then tells her parents that she wants to be a movie producer!

 

The store that is advertising implies that they have all the toys to make every child's wish come true. As I viewed that commercial a few times, I reflected on the message that underlies it. As human beings, we can be so fickle. Our whims and fads change often, both for children and adults, that we bemoan the frenetic, changing pace of our lives. What was in fashion in Christmas past, certainly is not the top wanted item today.

 

In the midst of our whims and fancies, so evident in our commercials and ads at this season, we gather here today to celebrate the true meaning of this great feast, something that does not change with our human temperaments, but which last forever.

 

The ultimate reason that we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is the fact that divine love has entered our world in a way that none of us would expect or comprehend. The Christmas story is all about contrasts; how God entered a world unprepared to welcome Him. Caesar Augustus was in his comfortable palace, the shepherds were out in the fields and, because of the census that was decreed to be taken, Mary and Joseph found themselves on the road. On that first Christmas night, not a proper place could be found for their Baby to be born.

 

While others busied themselves about the things they felt were so important, Mary and Joseph worried about a place for their newborn to be housed. Caesar Augustus with all his worldly power, could decree a census that would force the people of his empire to be on the move, yet when God entered our world he was totally ignorant of this wonderful miracle. It is no coincidence that St. Luke has the first announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds, for they were the most downtrodden of society. In the thinking of Jesus' day, the three most unlikely groups to attain salvation are the tax collectors, publicans and shepherds. All of them were considered dishonest and prone to evil deeds. Yet, the angels do not visit the palace of Caesar Augustus, but the fields where the shepherds were to tell them of the wondrous birth of the newborn King.

 

Caesar and the political leaders of the day would have been threatened by this news, but to the shepherds, the angels' tidings brought great rejoicing. In their poverty and despair, they had hearts that were open to the news that salvation had come to the world. We are told by St. Luke that they hastened to Bethlehem to see this newborn King. Far from being threatened, they recognized what God was doing for the world. And they find Jesus in a place among the poor, in a stable because the world was not willing to give him a decent room in which to be born. 

 

It was among the poor that Jesus entered the world and with them that he would live, preach, work his miracles and eventually die among them. The shepherds give to us great insight into the mission of this Messiah; one who came for all who had lost hope and were forgotten by the rest of society. Political leaders may come and go, but the love that God has poured into the world with the birth of His Son is one that endures forever. 

 

Many kingdoms and realms have risen and fallen since the birth of our Savior on that holy night, but the love that God has for us lasts forever. It is not based on our fickle whims and thoughts, but on the God who would not let his people wallow in their sinfulness. In a world where oppression seems to be the norm, God has entered to give us love, freedom and hope.

 

What God offers to us in the birth of His beloved Son far surpasses all that this world can offer, for no one or nothing on this earth can give us the possibility of eternity. And yet, that is what we celebrate this day: God was born into our time so that we can be born into eternity! No greater gift can be given nor greater hope can be conceived than what we celebrate in our Christmas joy.

 

Earlier this month, at Mount Carmel Church here in Springfield, there was a Christmas Carol Festival. It was a time that brought many people together in the good cheer of this season. There were reflections on the meaning of Christmas and what our faith truly proclaims this time of the year. There was a prayer card that was given to everyone, a card that held the prayer of Pope St. John XXIII that really embodies what Christmas is.

 

Let us listen to these words, ponder the beauty of their meaning and ask for the same grace in our lives as we glory in this Christmas joy: "O sweet child of Bethlehem, may we share with all our hearts the profound mystery of Christmas. Put into our hearts this peace which we seek so desperately. Reveal to us your beauty, holiness and purity. Awaken in all our hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness. Join us together in your love through the grace of the Holy Spirit, and give us your heavenly peace. Amen, Amen and a Blessed Christmas to all!"

 

Christmas homily given by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield at  St. Michael's Cathedral on Christmas Eve. This Mass will be broadcast Christmas morning at 11 a.m. on WWLP, and again at 1 p.m. on the CW Springfield.