Christmas Midnight Mass

“Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary, and was made man” (The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Roman Martyrology). On this holy night, while gentle silence envelops the land, we celebrate with wonder and awe how the Eternal Word leaped from heaven. In a world grown old, he was the gentle light heralding a new day. The Eternal Word took to himself the silence of the night and became an infant. In the silence of the stable, Mary and Joseph contemplated the mystery of his birth. As they caressed his swaddled body, he drew them to his sacred heart. In that embrace, they learned the depths of God’s love, which were made tangible in this newborn.

In the silence of this night, we ponder with Mary and Joseph the wonder of God’s love. Gregory of Nyssa wrote: “Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it needed to be returned to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator.” In the silence of the stable, we hear the utterance of God’s love. In the middle of this holy night, while peaceful stillness encompasses everything, we are given a glimpse of the radiant glory shining on the face of Christ. Tonight, we are invited to view life through the eyes of a child.

Gazing upon the baby in the manger, we discover God’s closeness to us. “A voice of gladness has resounded in our land. In the dwellings of sinners, a voice of joy and salvation has been heard. The good news has been announced, news of comfort, news of rejoicing, worthy of all acceptance. Rejoice and give praise, O you mountains. All you trees of the forest applaud before the face of the Lord, for now, he is coming. Hear, you heavens; and you, earth, give ear. Let the whole of creation be astounded and give praise; but you, O humans, above all others. For “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah” (Sermon #9 on the Nativity, Bernard of Clairvaux).

Christ was born to touch our hearts and tell us that love is the power that changes the world. Because of his love for us, we who have walked in darkness and sin have been gifted to see a great light (CF. Is. 9:2). The light of Christ shines in our darkest night, and the darkness has not overcome it (CF. Jn. 1:5). As long as Christ is in the world, he is the light of the world (CF. Jn. 9:5). Everyone who embraces the newborn savior is conformed to Christ and, like him, made to be light that pierces the darkness. May we who have come to know the mystery of Christ’s light on earth become guides for all who are searching for the Prince of Peace.

We have gathered together in the quiet stillness of this holy night to celebrate the birth of the Shepherd of our souls. The gospel tells us that the shepherds who dwelt in darkness, keeping watch over their flocks had seen a great light. Out of the light came a voice announcing good news intended to fill their hearts with joy and not fear. The Shepherd of Israel has come and is waiting for them in a manger. In Bethlehem, that House of Bread, they would find the Bread of Life. As an ox knows its master and a donkey knows its owner’s manger, so when they found the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, they found the words of the angel confirmed. Their darkness was filled with the light of faith. In that light, they came to know their savior, through whom they would offer God a sacrifice of praise (CF. Heb. 13:15).  Filled with wonder and awe, they made known all that they had seen and heard, bringing the light of revelation to all they met.

When the time of Mary’s confinement came to an end, she gave birth to a son. The birth of Mary’s son freed us from our confinement to darkness and death into God’s marvelous light. Having found the light, we are called to proclaim it to all we meet.  We do this by serving as beacons of light amid the darkness of our world who radiate the light of Christ and proclaim the good news of great joy. The message of Christmas is not merely that a baby was born in Bethlehem. The message of Christmas is that the baby born in Bethlehem is our Savior and our God-With-Us. The infant wrapped in swaddling clothes wants us to be clothed in love. The infant lying in a feeding trough wants us to eat the Bread of Life. Today we sing a new song because we have been struck anew with wonder at the greatness of God and the salvation his outstretched arm has wrought.

For to us, a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6).

Worship him.