Today, Christmas has a greater joy

By Norm McGraw

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-night.cfm
Isaiah 9:1-6
Timothy 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

When I recall my memories of Christmas as a boy, I began the holiday happily. I’d wake up, knowing I would go to an early Mass. So, I’d hurry up and dress in my Sunday best to be ready. In church, my thoughts were more on opening presents when I got home than thinking about the kid in swaddling clothes that would be Savior to all of us. 

When I got home, I eagerly opened my presents — usually a toy or a game or a couple of record albums. I’d play with them for a while. Then I’d play Christmas carols on the piano to satisfy my parents. Then I’d watch a football game or two on TV for a few hours before the great Thanksgiving-like Christmas dinner that was ready by late afternoon. Then I’d eat until I was full. Then I’d ignore the grown-up talk and go to my room to play with my presents some more. Then I’d go to bed.

“Great day,” I thought — then. 

Now, embracing the meaning of the readings of the Christmas Mass is the greater joy to me.

Today’s responsorial psalm (Psalm 96: 1-2) joyfully proclaims, “Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song.” The second reading (Timothy 2: 11-14) states, “The grace of God appeared … as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.” In the gospel of Luke today (Luke 2: 1-14), he chronicles not only the birth of Jesus, “… an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes,” but also a message by an angel to shepherds, telling them “news of great joy,” heralding that “a savior has been born to you who is Christ the Lord.”

The type of joy Scripture refers to here is a life-changing moment. 

Many of us have experienced a microcosm of that feeling in our lives. It’s the moment of joy a mechanic feels after restoring a vintage car; an architect after finishing a beautiful design; a worker after finishing a prized project; a businessman after completing a key deal; a writer penning the last word of a work; a painter smiling after the last brush stroke completing his masterpiece; the composer giving a thumbs up after playing the last note of a new song; finding the love mate you’ve always been looking for all your life; or the moment you realize that you are a parent.

Now multiply that feeling an incomprehensible number of times and you have the feeling the Bible proclaims about Christmas. 

The first reading of Christmas Mass says it best. Ironically, it’s from the Old Testament, before the birth of Jesus, in Isaiah 9:1-6. He states, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Then later, he continues, “You (God) have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing … For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed.” Still later, he proclaims, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulders dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”

That’s what December 25th is about.

Wow. Thank God. He’s here.

Merry Christmas to all.