December 24 will mark 10 months since the Russian army invaded Ukraine. The Christmas we celebrate this year finds us in a state of war, where tens of thousands have been killed, and millions are displaced. Yet, this Christmas Eve, choirs around the world will sing the angelic hymn, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to people of goodwill!”
Christmas is not just a celebration of the mystery of God becoming human—it is also about carrying that conviction forward amid the untold miseries wrought by people without goodwill. It was this faith that Pope Francis exemplified as he tearfully offered the prayers of children, mothers, fathers, elderly people, and youth of the war-torn nation of Ukraine to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin on the solemnity of her Immaculate Conception. It was a “God-with-us” moment. We must not lose sight of such moments in a challenging world. “Peace on Earth” is the message we need now, more than ever.
We live in age of anxiety because we, the children of God, have walked away from God the Father and found ourselves in deep trouble. But despite our sinful misadventures, the Father does not give up on us.
In the creation story, God saw that man was lonely and gave him a companion to remedy his loneliness. God saw the plight of his people while they were enslaved in Egypt and sent his messenger to rescue them. While his people were in exile in Babylon, he gave consolation to them. He has made solemn covenants with humanity. Christmas is the culmination of this salvation history and of God’s constant presence among us.
At Christmas, God chooses to become one with his people, to be born among us as the answer to humanity’s anxiety and despair. He comes to us, paradoxically, not as a mighty king but as a helpless child.
Christmas takes place so that God the Son—Emmanuel—can remain forever with us to remind us that we are not alone. He lives with us and in us, forever present in the Eucharist and in the lives of all the people who touches our lives.
At this time of year, we are called to recreate God-with-us moments for those who are afraid and anxious—the poor, the sick, the homeless, and many more. Many parishes and religious communities successfully created these encounters for the deserving during the past years of pandemic restrictions. But as Christmas approaches, much suffering remains. We must ask ourselves what we each can do to invoke the presence of God for at least one needy person this Christmas. How can we affirm that God is with us? Jose CMF
