Christmas I (year A)- Matthew 2:13-23

 The gospel for this Sunday after Christmas is from Matthew 2. It recounts events after the departure of the Magi.  Joseph was warned to take the Holy Family to Egypt for safety, and King Herod I tried to eliminate the threat of the Messiah to his dynasty by killing male children in Bethlehem under two years of age. Later, after Herod's death, the family returned to Palestine. Joseph decided that Nazareth would be safer for the young Jesus than Bethlehem.

These events remind us that sin, death, and evil were very much at work in the world around the time of Christ's Birth. The Christ Child was feared and hated, and His innocent contemporaries were killed. The world is still much the same. The holy child is still not universally welcomed, and evil people still destroy the innocent to preserve their power, wealth, or comfort.

Despite such evil, God's work in the world continues. Just as evil did not destroy Christ, so in our time the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is not defeated. Evil still causes much suffering, even among the most innocent, but divine truth, love, and grace continue and will continue to the end of the age and beyond! The Gospel, whether around Christmas or around Easter, assures us that God's goodness triumphs over evil!

Christmas (year A)

 In certain respects, Christmas is the beginning of the Gospel story, which reaches its climax on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. There are many passages of Scripture associated with the birth of Jesus. There are Old Testament prophecies and epistle readings. And of course, there are the Gospel accounts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Each of these Gospels has its own beauty and meaning. We might say that Matthew 1-2 focuses on Joseph's perspective, that Luke 1-2 reflects the point of view of the Virgin Mary, and that John 1 emphasizes the timeless theological meaning. 

All these Scriptures complement one another, and the Gospels, in particular, provide believers with the truth we need for meditating on the significance of Christ's Birth. Many of us recall lovely childhood Nativity pageants, but adults need to move beyond that level. The Scriptures point us to deeper nourishment for the heart, mind, and soul. Scripture teaches us the truth that Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" for us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). 

In other words, Scripture teaches us that Christmas is about more than a family festival or the birthday of a great man; it is about our eternal salvation. Faith in Christ our Savior is where we need to focus our attention. Of course, we should have faith in Him every day, but we need a special time of emphasis on His Incarnation. We need more than a few moments on Christmas Eve, and church tradition suggests at least for twelve days. Meditating on the meaning of Jesus' Birth at this time can help us better appreciate the entire Gospel message as we move through the church year. 

Prayers and wishes for a blessed and meaningful Christmas!

Advent 4 (year A)- Isaiah 7:10-17; Matthew 1:18-25

 For this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Scripture readings emphasize the expectation of the Messiah's birth. The Old Testament selection from Isaiah 7:10-17 is a famous prophecy that contains both a warning and a promise of redemption. The hopeful promise is the sign of the child born of a virgin. This child will be called Immanuel, "God with us." Of course, Christians believe that this prophetic hope is fulfilled in Jesus, who is the Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25 is an account of Jesus' birth from Joseph's perspective. After an initial shock and hesitation, through divine guidance, Joseph comes to accept the virgin birth. He trusts in the holiness of his betrothed and the son she will bear. He is instructed to call Him Jesus, a name which comes from Hebrew meaning "the Lord will save." This brief account reminds us of two realities. It affirms the importance of Joseph's role in the plan for redemption, and it also points beyond Joseph to the greater importance of Jesus, the Redeemer. Let us honor Joseph's holiness and faith as well as Mary's. Even more importantly, let us appreciate the holiness of Christ our Redeemer, the true reason for the coming Christmas celebration!

Advent 3 (year A)- Matthew 11:2-15

 The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent continue to emphasize the prophetic message and the hope for deliverance. The New Testament reading is from the letter of James. The theme of James 5:7-11 is contained in the opening verse- "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord" (ESV). Christians live between the times, between Christ's great work of redemption and His return in final triumph. As we consider this situation, we are called to live in patience and hope.

The Gospel from Matthew 11:2-15 shows John the Baptist in prison (where he will soon be unjustly executed). He sends two of his followers to Jesus, and they ask if Jesus is the anticipated Messiah or Christ. Whatever John's motives for sending his disciples to see Jesus, Jesus replies with a two-fold proclamation. First, He points to the redemptive acts taking place in His own ministry. The prophecies are being fulfilled. Secondly, Jesus affirms the purpose and value of the work of John the Baptist. He has prepared the way. Then, our Lord concludes with an exhortation to His hearers to hear; that is, they should be sensitive and perceptive to the great spiritual events of their day.

Advent is a season for us to be more aware of God's warnings and promises. It is a time to reflect on the need for redemption. May we have ears to hear! In other words, may we be sensitive and perceptive to God's redemptive work in the coming of Jesus the Messiah!

Advent 2 (year A)- Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3: 1-12

 The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent focus on prophecy in differing ways. There are two great characteristics of prophecy: foretelling or predicting and forth-telling or proclaiming. Both aspects are important. Biblical prophecy predicts certain future events in the divine plan; it also proclaims the message of divine redemption. During Advent, we see both aspects of prophecy in our readings.

The Old Testament lesson is the famous passage from Isaiah 11:1-10. It looks forward to a time when an ideal king will arise from the house of Jesse, the father of King David. This anointed ruler or Messiah will fulfill God's promises to Israel. He will bring true redemption. Of course, Christians see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Gospel selection is from Matthew 3:1-12. It concerns the work of John the Baptist. He fulfills certain prophecies from the past; he is also the last of the Hebrew prophets pointing to the Messiah. He preaches repentance and redemption, and he points to his cousin Jesus. May the divinely inspired message of the Biblical prophets move us to faith in Jesus and lives consistent with their message!