Christmas Night

 

In a cave, over 2000 yrs., ago, in the little town of Bethlehem, on a cold winter night, the Savior of the world, was miraculously born of a Virgin, in a stable with animals, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, because there was no room for Him, in an Inn.

In a Cave—most of us were born in a hospital, but some of our parents and grandparents may have been born in homes, but no one here tonight would could imagine being born in a cave. Surely, Jesus deserved to born in the greatest of all places. But God Himself chose to be born, not in a palace for King, or the temple to be worshiped, or even the finest home, but born in a cave.

2000 yrs. ago. Tonight’s Gospel lists all the ancestors from Abraham to David and from David to Jesus. Thousands of years before Jesus in an unbroken line, the Jews waited for the Messiah until He would come to us born in Cave. And now, more than 2000 yrs. after the birth of the Christ, the Messiah, we ponder at the ancestral line of Jesus. Many of us can trace back our family line by way of a family tree. We do so to show our connection with our relatives—who are family. St. Matthew traces back the genealogy of Jesus, because He is the Son of the David, the expected King who was to come, as St. Luke states, “The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His Father.” He will rule over the House of Jacob and His reign will be without end.” The infant Jesus established His kingdom 2000 yrs, ago. His kingdom will be without end, because it will last forever.

In the little town of Bethlehem--- Jesus was born in Bethlehem fulfilling the prophesy of the prophet Micah who said, “And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Bethlehem was the ancient city of David, the city in which the Messiah would come! Bethlehem was little, and so it was insignificant, perhaps something like Little River. But from the little town would come a ruler who would be a shepherd of the people Israel. From the little town would come a shepherd, who would guide the sheep to verdant pastures of heaven. The word “Bethlehem” means, “house of bread”. Jesus would someday say, “I am the living bread come down from heaven.” The little town of Bethlehem, by its very name would become symbolic with regard to how Jesus would shepherd His people—which would be by way of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life.

On a cold winter night--- Jesus was born on a cold winter night. The cold winter night represents the coldness of the hearts of mankind, who failed to give God the warmth of their love. The world had grown cold from sin. But in the dark winter night, a warm little babe was born who would melt the hearts of sinners and give meaning to suffering.

The Savior of the world---was born. Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, God with us—has come to save the world. When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, the angel said this about Mary, “She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Our Lord would come as an infant Child, only to be later crucified on the Cross and rise from the dead, so that He could save His people from their sins. Before He died He established baptism and confession to save people from their sins in every day and age

Miraculously born of a Virgin--- When Mary was found with Child, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall name Him, Emmanuel, which means God is with us.” How could a Virgin give birth to a child? It was through the power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus would come down from heaven in Her womb. Because Mary was not subject to original sin, as a Virgin, She gave birth without any labor pains and in a miraculous manner, without the normal opening of Her womb and so Her virginal integrity was kept intact. Blessed Catherine Emmerich saw in a vision the miraculous birth of Jesus: “I saw the radiance round the Blessed Virgin ever growing greater…. At midnight she was wrapt in an ecstasy of prayer. I saw Her lifted from the earth, so that I saw the ground beneath her. Her hands were crossed on her (chest). The radiance about her increased…. Then I no longer saw the roof of the cave; a pathway of light opened above Mary, rising with ever-increasing glory towards the height of heaven…. Meanwhile the Blessed Virgin…. in ecstasy, was now gazing downwards, adoring her God, whose Mother she had become and who lay on the earth before her in the form of a helpless new-born child. I saw our Redeemer as a tiny child, shining with a light that overpowered all the surrounding radiance…..” This vision is something for all of us to ponder.

As Catholics we believe Mary had no children before or after Jesus was born. Our Lord chose Mary above all the women in the world to be His Mother, and the Mother of all mankind, the Mother of each of us.

Jesus was born in a stable with animals. Our Divine Lord chose to be born with smelly animals. An ox, some sheep, and a donkey huddled in the stable where Jesus was born. The stable would have smelled from the manure of the animals and from the dirty animals themselves. But at least Our Savior received some warmth by His creatures.

Wrapped in swaddling clothes--- Jesus had no pajamas, no clothes to wear, and so the Blessed Virgin Mary wrapped the Savior in long strips of cloth-- to keep Him warm. At least these cloths kept His little body warm. The cloths remind us of the cloths, which bound Jesus at His burial, when He would be placed in a cold tomb.

Jesus was laid in a manger—Away in a manger, with no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus, laid down His sweet head. As a newborn Infant, He was laid in a feeding trough for animals. The manger would become symbolic of His desire to feed us with His body and blood in the Eucharist. He chose to be born in poverty, to suffer from hunger, that we way may become rich in His love and satisfied with His every gift—especially His gift of Himself in the Eucharist.

There was no room for Him, in an Inn. On the night Jesus was to be born---when Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem they knocked on door to door, to find a place to stay. No one would receive our Savior, no one would let Him in.

Today, will we let Jesus into our life? Will we allow Him to save us-- by coming to Mass and receiving Him in Holy Communion by going to confession at least once a month?

In a cave, over 2000 yrs., ago, in the little town of Bethlehem, on a cold winter night, as Savior of the world, miraculously born of a Virgin, in a stable with animals, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, because there was no room for Him, in an Inn.

Remember:

Twas the night before Christmas—at David’s House of Bethlehem.

Joseph and Mary arrived--- to find no room at the Inn.

Not a creature was stirring except those in a stable—a donkey, an ox, & some sheep.

In the silent night—not a whisper could be heard—no---not even a peep.

Miraculously born of a Virgin,

In a cold cave, in the middle of the winter,

A little Child was born to save all men.

When suddenly there arose such a clatter.

The shepherds were afraid to see what was the matter.

The glory of the Lord shone around them.

An angel appeared to them:

“I have come to bring good news to you.

Tidings of great joy.

This Day in David’s City.

A Savior has been born,

the Messiah the Lord.

Let this be a sign to you!

You will find an Infant wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

And lying in a manger.

Tonight, in your arms, take the Infant Child.

Although He is poor.

When He knocks, Open the door.

If you open,

He will give you infinitely more.

In your life, let Him in.

So as not to be closed, like that Inn of Bethlehem.

Come to Mass every Sunday.

Once a month confess your sins.

And you too will be filled with tidings of great joy.

Because that little boy,

Born 2000 yrs ago will save you from your sins!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!