When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. " Luke 2:15-20
The shepherds of the Judean hills were rough and simple men. But maybe only in their simplicity could they hear the message that called them to Bethlehem. They received the words of the angel with joy and without fear. Then they acted on the revelation of God with faith, and that faith led them to Mary and Joseph and the child who changed history. When they found Jesus, they worshiped Him, and then they made known to others the message they had been told about this Child. And all who heard them were amazed.
Today, in our lifetimes, we need to place ourselves in the footsteps of those shepherds. We should ask God for the grace to be moved and converted this year as we draw close to the manger, because the truth of this Child is beyond anything we could hope for or expect. We should ask God for the grace to be simple, courageous and pure of heart; to radiate the excitement of the shepherds' discovery. Christmas is the birth of our Redeemer, the Messiah of Israel. Let us adore Him. Let us be overcome with joy and then make known to the whole world all that has been revealed to us about this Child.
In these final hours of Advent, we need to think about what Jesus has done for us. He frees us from the slavery of sin and the fear of death. He comforts us. He encourages us. He teaches us. He walks with us in our sufferings. He fills us with hope. He offers us eternal life. Instead of violating our freedom, He restores it, dignifies it with His own incarnate holiness, and then adds to it with His victory over death on our behalf, won by dying for our sins on the Cross and then rising from the grave. He gives us His Spirit, who breathes new life into our hearts and enables us to love one another " even our enemies and persecutors " as He loves us.
This Christmas let the holy day that gives meaning to our December "holiday" celebrations shine through the noise of our culture's annual consumer frenzy. The only present that matters this year or any year is the gift God makes of Himself in His son. For Catholics and every genuine disciple, the one holiday that really matters " eternally " this time of year is Christmas. And Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ.
So "let us go over to Bethlehem" to see this Child. And in the coming year, let us proclaim Him to the world.
May God grant a merry and blessed Christmas to us all.
