As we gather this Christmas Eve, our hearts are filled with the joy and anticipation of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tonight, we not only commemorate the miraculous event of His coming into the world but also honor the hope that His story brings us. This Christmas, as we look toward the Jubilee Year 2025, I invite you all to reflect on three profound insights about hope—hope in God's fidelity, hope in God's love for the poor, and hope in embracing and sharing the joy of the Gospel.
Hope in the Fidelity of God to Fulfill His Promises. The Christmas story is a poignant reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfills the prophecies declared by the prophets centuries before. In Micah 5:2, we read, "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrata, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Here, we see that God's plan was set in motion long before Jesus' birth.
Just as He delivered His promise to the people of Israel, God continues to fulfill His promises to us today. In our personal lives, we encounter moments of waiting and uncertainty, but we must trust that God is at work, shaping our paths according to His divine will.
Reflecting on this fidelity, let us find confidence and strength in our own waiting, knowing that just as He fulfilled His promises to the shepherds and to Mary, He remains faithful to us. This Christmas, recommit yourself to hope, for God is faithful!
Hope in God's Preferential Love for the Poor and Marginalized. The circumstances surrounding Christ's birth further reveal God's heart for the poor and marginalized. Jesus was born in a stable, placed in a manger. This humble birth profoundly signifies that God identifies with the least among us. The shepherds, often regarded as outcasts, were the first recipients of the angel's message of great joy: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
Pope Francis beautifully expresses this reality in Spes non confundit (paragraph 4), stating, "It is difficult to imagine that God would disregard those who are suffering." When we embrace the story of Christmas, we see that it reflects God's preferential option for the vulnerable. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus later proclaims in his ministry, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
This is an invitation for each of us to reach out to those in need in our communities. As we celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on how we can live out this love and compassion in our daily lives, shining the light of hope to those who feel forgotten and marginalized.
Hope in a People Embracing and Sharing the Joy of the Gospel. Finally, we are invited to become bearers of joy and hope—a joy that stems from an encounter with Christ. The shepherds, after visiting Jesus, returned glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard (Luke 2:20). Their response serves as a model for us today.
Again, the Holy Father reminds us in his message for the Jubilee Year of Hope: "The Christian message is one of hope. Hope for the poor, for those who suffer, and for a world that is waiting for freedom"(par. 5) ). We are called to embody that hope by sharing the joy of the Gospel with others. The world needs our witness now more than ever—people filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus.
As we enter the Jubilee Year 2025, let us embrace this festive spirit and commit to spreading hope. Just as the shepherds returned transformed, we, too, can go forth rejoicing and inviting others into the light of Christ. Our actions, our words, our very lives can become instruments of God's hope in a world that longs for peace, justice, and love.
As we celebrate this Holy Night, may we be renewed in our faith, bolstered by hope. Let there be hope in our hearts for God's fidelity, hope in His love for the marginalized, and hope in our mission to share the joy of the Gospel. In the words of Pope Francis, "Let us not allow our hope to be extinguished! Let us instead open our hearts and reach out to those in need, for in that, we encounter Christ Himself" (par. 6).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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