My first Christmas homily circa 2009

I’ll never forget the great displays of Christmas lights. As a young boy growing up in New Orleans I remember the beautiful lights of Canal Street and the grandly decorated storefronts of D.H. Holmes and Maison Blanche, which included Mr. Bingle. I vaguely remember being driven to the great Centanni home on Canal St. which was among the earliest of the great displays of Christmas lights.

When the grander displays began to dot the landscape, from the Copeland home to the festive lights of City Park, there I was dutifully bringing my children to see the lights. Now I get to enjoy the great display of lights right here at home on the Northshore.

We all are drawn to the light. Light makes us feel safe. Light makes us feel welcome. Light makes us feel warm.

As people of faith, we rejoice tonight as we bask in the warmth and safety and welcoming embrace of the Light.

The great prophet Isaiah proclaims “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” Isaiah lived some 700 years before the birth of Jesus yet he is prophesying about the great light. And what is that light? Isaiah answers that question, “a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests”.

The Gospel that the church proclaims at Midnight Mass is the great Lucan narrative of the birth of Jesus. It is perhaps the best known of all Gospel readings proclaimed at any Mass. All the important names are mentioned; even Caesar Augustus and Quirinius which gives us historical context. But what we hear next, while historical, is far more than just facts; it is the incarnation of God who has come to save us. We hear of Joseph and Mary setting off to the city of David, Bethlehem. This would be a long and difficult journey for Mary, heavy with child. And it came to be that while in this city, Bethlehem is born our savior, Christ the Lord. Perhaps the most beautiful depiction of this event of our salvation that I have ever seen is the movie released a few years ago simply titled, the Nativity. In the breath taking scene of the birth of Jesus, effective use of light dramatically points us to the real light of the world who dispels the darkness of sin, the infant Jesus, born of Mary and conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. And we can never forget that light accompanied the angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. And it is the light of the brightest star that leads the Magi to the Christ child.

For us tonight, on one of the darkest nights of the year, are we bathed in the light of Christ? Do we allow the light that is the Christ illumine our way, on a straight and even path avoiding that sin which keeps us in darkness? And when we do sin, when we do fall away, do we seek the light? Just as light makes us feel safe and warm and welcome in a storm or on lonely travels, returning to the light of Christ will make us safe from sin, warm from the coldness of the lack of Jesus’ presence in our lives and welcomed by Him who was born, lived on this earth, died and rose again for us.

May we rejoice in that light tonight! As we remember the awe and wonder at seeing those beautiful Christmas lights, may we allow that light of Christ to shine forth this Christmas and in the New Year ahead!

And tonight, may our voices blend with those of the angels as we cry out in joy, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace on whom his favor rests!