Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord-Christmas Midnight (ABC)

December 25, 2018 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6

Psalm: 96

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14

Gospel reading according to Luke 2: 1-14

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Homily:

A census was declared by the Caesar (Emperor) Augustus to all his territories under the power and authority of the Roman Empire, just to know how many people can fight with the Empire when other kingdoms go on war against the Caesar and for taxation purposes.  “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled” (Lk. 1: 1).  All the peoples of the world should go to their original places to register and enroll in the census.  This enrollment will be the time for the Son of God to be born in a place predicted by the prophets of old.   “This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria” (Lk. 1: 2).  Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, the newly-appointed Imperial Legate (governor) of the province of Roman Syria, was tasked to carry out a tax census of the new province of Judea, one of the three territories into which the kingdom of Herod the Great had been divided on his death in 4 BCE. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_of_Quirinius). The census has connection with the birth of Jesus.

One of those who went to his original home of his ancestry was Joseph with his wife Mary who was about to deliver her baby.   “So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.  And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child” (Lk. 1: 3-5).  Since Joseph came from the house and family of David, he went from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, to register together with his wife, Mary.  

The time has come for Mary to deliver her child in Bethlehem, in the city of King David. “While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son” (Lk. 1: 6-7a).  Mary gave birth to her first born son, whom later will be given the name, Jesus.

When the child was born, his mother wrapped him with swaddling clothes, are cloths and bands used in the practice of swaddling, or essentially “wrapping” an infant tightly in cloth, to protect him from cold of the night, and to show Baby Jesus who was wrapped in swaddling clothes according to the custom of the day, an action that showed the tender care and affection of His mother, Mary.  “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk. 1: 7b).  The child was laid down in a manger in a cave where animals are kept and fed in the evening.  For when they arrived in the city there were no more rooms in any inns available, even in their relatives and friends, for there were lots of people came also to be registered.  So, they found a cave that keeps and feeds animals, that’s why Mary gave birth in the cave and her son was placed in a manger to become bread/food for all, as what the meaning of Bethlehem was, “House of Bread,” and what God planned for His Son’s birth, humble, simple, and poor.

There were other people awoke on that night, the shepherds, watching their sheep. “Now there were shepherd in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock” (Lk. 1: 8).  It is natural for the shepherd to stay awake during the night to protect the flock from wolves and other wild animals. 

Suddenly, an angle of the Lord from heaven appeared to the shepherds with an announcement. “The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear” (Lk. 1: 9).  Bright light shone and covered them and the shepherds were amazed yet with great fear. 

Then the angel announced the wonderful message.  “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Lk. 1: 10-12).  There is nothing to fear but a reason for rejoicing.  He proclaimed the good news for all peoples in the world, that in the city of David a savior is born, He is Christ and Lord.  The angel also gave a sign, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  There were lots of people there, why this good news was announced to the poor shepherd as the first receivers of the birth of Christ and Lord?  

When suddenly, a thousands and thousands of angels from heaven appeared in the night sky together with the angel who brought the good news to the shepherds.  “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom the favor rests” (Lk. 1: 13-14). They were praising God the Father and Creator of all for His promised was fulfilled according to his plan.  And they were singing “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom the favor rests.”