22 DECEMBER 2024
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. At St. Mark's we hear these words from St. John's Gospel at the conclusion of almost every mass. One of the exceptions is on Christmas Day when the Prologue of John is the main gospel of the mass, and at the end of the mass we hear the story of the Magi adoring the Christ. Many of us can say the Prologue of John from memory since we hear it almost every day.
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This is the story of Christianity whether we are celebrating the Nativity of Christ, his Passion, his Resurrection, his Ascension, or any aspect of Christ's ministry among humanity. At Christmas we witness the beginning of what sets Christianity apart from all other world religions. God embraces humanity in the flesh in the life of Jesus Christ, coming to share in all our pains and all our joys, and thereby saving us for eternity.
Humanity is a life of raw emotions and experiences. Joy, laughter, and happiness may be followed by weeping, sorrow, and anger. We have free will to guide our future, and yet things can fall apart so quickly, often due to events completely beyond our control. In the manger of Bethlehem, Jesus comes to embrace all of human experience. At the crib we find the joy of Mary and Joseph, the awe and happiness of the shepherds, the reverence of the Magi, and the subsequent terror inflicted by King Herod. God is in the midst of all of this, just as God is in the midst of every aspect of our lives.
As we enter into the divine mysteries of Christmas once more, I invite you to simply be present in the Word-Made-Flesh. Be present for the masses of Christmas, be present for the gatherings of family and friends, and be present for what God is doing in your life this Christmas. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This was true over 2,000 years ago, and it is true today as well.
Merry Christmas,
Father Paul Lillie +
