Christ is born! Glorify Him!

There are times when we may feel foolish or ignorant. In fact we often are foolish, and we certainly are ignorant. Our understanding is limited; we don’t know everything. Sometimes, though, our lack of knowledge or wisdom or wherewithal may depress us. Or we may be filled with pride because we think we are wiser or more intelligent than other people. Either way, there is something we are missing.

And there are times when we may feel tired, or old. The hectic pace of the lives of many of us, the proverbial rat-race, can be overwhelming and exhausting. We try and try to keep up, and at times it may feel like that’s impossible. This world makes us prematurely old.

And there are times when we may feel insignificant. I’ve heard more than one person tell me they feel invisible, like nobody notices them or pays attention to them. It’s as if our lives don’t matter at all. We may certainly feel like that at times.

On this night, though, we celebrate the coming of the One who is the source of all wisdom, who is the source of all newness and strength, and who is the source of all significance - everything that is really important and really matters.

Regarding wisdom, we hear in St. Matthew’s Gospel how Magi, or Wise Men come and worship the child Christ. They represent the best this world has to offer - the greatest wisdom, and in them, this world’s wisdom bows before the wisdom of God. Whatever learning we have, whatever wisdom, whatever thoughts and ideas and plans, the wisest thing we can do at any time is to recognize Christ’s presence, and to fall down in worship of Him.

On the other hand we see the shepherds also coming to worship Christ. In fact, the shepherds come first, before the wise men. This indicates to us that simplicity of heart is a quicker route to Christ than worldly wisdom. And if we feel that we lack learning and wisdom that we’d like to have, we can take heart by remembering that the simple, unlearned shepherds were there worshiping Christ before the Wise men. Real wisdom, found in both the shepherds and the wise men, is to recognize that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and to fall down in worship before Him.

Regarding age and youth, we can say this: though Christ is born as a small child, He is the Ancient of Days. He existed “from everlasting” according to the Prophet Micah. Yet, He is also eternally youthful, and can give us eternal youth. We have been aged by sin. That’s what sin does. It causes the whole aging process. It saps our life. It exhausts us. It makes us go round and round and get nowhere.

Yet, while we may be old, either in years of life in this world or through the aging effect of sin, or both, we are made young again by Christ. The Ancient One becomes a child to make us who have been aged by sin, young again and young forever. He becomes a Child to make us Child-like. Through the ages people have sought for the mythical “Fountain of Youth,” and they continue to search for this mirage in various forms today. What is the miracle cure, the scientific development that will cure our sicknesses and make us live longer? In the end, it doesn’t matter, though. No scientific achievement can stop the reality of aging and death. But the One born in Bethlehem gives us new birth, and everlasting youth in His Kingdom.

Regarding significance, all we have to do is consider that the Savior of the World was born in a podunk little town in a remote corner of the Roman empire. And hardly anyone paid any attention at the time it took place. There was no room in the inn, so the Virgin Mary had to give birth in a shepherd’s cave, which was the best they could do for shelter. And all they had for a crib was a feeding trough.

The prophet Micah spoke about how Bethlehem was an apparently insignificant place, but that it would become great because the Ruler of all would come from it. Because of Christ’s presence, Bethlehem becomes a great and famous place. Even today, it isn’t much in worldly terms. The Christians there eke out an existence as best they can, dependent on tourism. But what Christian hasn’t heard of the little town of Bethlehem? We all know how important it is in the story of our salvation.

Likewise, we may feel insignificant, discounted by others, forgotten. But all true significance comes from connection to Christ. If He makes His home in us - if we are His dwelling place - then our life has infinite significance. On the other hand, if we move mountains and impress the whole world with our abilities or accomplishments, but we are disconnected from the life that is in Christ, we are empty.

The name of our Lord Jesus Christ is synonymous with divine Love. And as St. Paul says, no matter what great things we may do, without love we are clanging symbols. Christ Jesus is God incarnate, and love incarnate. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, He is love, and He makes love known to us in His incarnation - in His being born in a cave and lying in a manger so that He can die for us and feed us with His very life. The cave foreshadows His burial place, and the manger - the place where animals feed - foreshadows how He will feed us with Himself.

On this night we behold the Divine and infinite Love that radiates from that Child born in Bethlehem. And it is this Love that is the greatest wisdom, the source of eternal youthfulness and endless energy, and the most significant reality there is. May that love dwell richly in each of you, through the gift of Christ Jesus, that greatest of all Christmas givers.