In the Nativity of Jesus, the Christ-child, God enters into life as a human person.  From the beginning, the Eternal Word was with God and “what came to be through him was life.”  Now that Eternal Word, God, becomes Incarnate and enters into life.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  The one who brought life into being now enters into human life to make God’s glory visible.  Jesus reveals the glory of the Father and helps us to see a human life that is full of grace and truth.  Jesus reveals to us the face of God and at the same time he reveals to us the true face of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God and purposed to share in the divine life and eternal glory of God.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:  “The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”: “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.” “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods” (CCC 460).  

    Jesus, the Eternal Word-made-Flesh, is the Son of God by nature.  He enters into life so that we might become the children of God by the power of God’s grace.  John tells us, in the Prologue to his gospel, that this life, that is born in a stable in Bethlehem, was the light of the human race.  We are not created or willed by God to be lost in the darkness of death but God sent his Son, the Eternal Word, into human life so that we might be brought into the light of eternal life with the Father.  This light shines in the darkness of death and the darkness has not overcome it.  We are not meant to be “overcome” by the darkness of death but we are willed by God to enter into the light of the Christ-child and inherit Eternal Life.  By Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, we are called out of darkness into the wonderful light of the divine life.  On the night of his birth, Jesus was born of Mary, to be a light to all of the children of Mary, and reveal to us the Way that leads us through human life and into eternal life with the Father in love.  God so loved the world that he sent his Son Jesus into the world, through the Nativity, to save the world from the darkness of sin and death and to draw us into the light of Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.

    Let us listen to the great song of life and light that we hear in Sacred Scripture:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.  You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing…For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9,1-5)

“I will lead the blind on their journey; by paths unknown I will guide them.  I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight.  These things I do for them, and I will not forsake them.” (Is 42,16)

“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” (Mt 4,16)

“Because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Lk 1,78f)

“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 1,3ff)

“A man named John was sent from God.  He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (Jn 1,6-9)

Jesus said to Nicodemus:  “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.  But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” (Jn 3,19-21)

Jesus spoke to them again, saying:  “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8,12)

Jesus said to his disciples:  “Night is coming when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Jn 9,5)

Jesus answered his disciples:  “Are there not twelve hours in a day?  If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (Jn 11,9f)

Jesus said to them:  “The light will be among you only a little while.  Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you.  Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.” (Jn12,35-39)

Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in Him who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.  I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” (Jn 12,45f)

“But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1Pt 2,9)

“For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.  Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day.” (Rom 13,11ff)

“For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.  For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor 4,5f)

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of the light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.  Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.  Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”  Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.” (Eph 5,8-17)

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.  He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1,12ff)

“But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief.  For all of you are children of the light and children of the day.  We are not of the night or of darkness.  Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.”  (1Thes 5,4f)

“Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you:  God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.  If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.  But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin”  (1Jn 1,5-7)

“And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.  Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.  Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1Jn 2,8-11)

    Into the darkness of the night of sin and death, a child is born and given to us, to be the light of life and to show us the way out of the darkness of this world and into the glorious light of the Kingdom of God.  Without this gift, the grace of the birth of the Christ-child, we have no hope of escaping from the darkness of sin and death.  Our only hope is to love this child, to commit our lives to following him and his Way and to share in communion with him in love.  To love the child Jesus is to love the light, to put off the deeds of darkness and to put on the armor of light, and to become what we were always meant to be, children of the light.  Once we have looked upon this child of the light, the Christ-child, we must walk in this world in a new way, a way of light, grace and truth, no longer walking in darkness, ignorance and falsehood.  In the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the light of the world, a new day has dawned and we are now called to be children of the day, living in the truth of God’s love.

    There is a lot of darkness in the world today.  We can choose to prefer the darkness of the world and to be a part of that darkness, walking in darkness and carrying out deeds of darkness.  Or we can choose Jesus, the light of the world.  We can embrace him in love and give him a warm cradle in our hearts.  To choose Christ means to walk in obedience to his command of love.  To choose Christ means to let your light shine in the world, placing the light of your faith on a lamp-stand for all the world to see.

    The angels cry out today:  “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”  Do not be afraid to come to Christ and to walk in his light.  He was born for you!  Do not come reluctantly, with doubt and confusion, but come in haste, “eager to do what is good.”  Let his favor rest upon you, for he is our hope for peace.  Now, with the angels, come, let us adore him.