By Deacon Gregory M. Kirk
St. Joseph Church, Galion, Ohio
Emmanuel. God is with us.
A mystery, a secret plan, hidden before the creation of the world, set into motion when Mary responded to the Angel Gabriel, with an affirmative “yes.” A great cosmic hidden passage opens, the possibility of our redemption and salvation becomes manifest.
The One who spoke the words of creation humbled himself and became one of us, entering our world in the form of an infant. Birthed in a stable and laid upon straw, the One who would open the door to eternal life, drew air into His lungs. The wood of the manger would eventually give way to the wood of the cross, where He gasped to breath, in order to save us.
In the center of this busy season, when people rush to cover all the Christmas bases, seeking perfection in their preparations and celebrations, tension eases when we pause and reflect on the reality that true “perfection” has walked among us, and now sits on the throne of David, forever.
The prophets anticipated and longed for him, announcing that He would restore the order of creation and bring salvation to God’s people. He has. He has done all things well.
The greatest gift we could ever hope to receive, came in the form of a man, who was also God, long before we were born. He is the Light that all of the darkness in this world can never extinguish. On this vigil of Christmas, Christmas Eve, may He find room in our hearts to be born, may He always find shelter within us. And may the gift of His love and mercy, a love and mercy that are always there for us, restore and renew us, and lead us into a new year with hope. Christ our Light has come to us. In a world that is fallen and often dark, we can proclaim with confidence, in Him there is no darkness. God is truly with us. Forever.
Merry Christmas.