Reflection for December 25, 2020

The Nativity of the Lord (B)
Isaiah 9:1-6   |   Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13   |   Timothy 2:11-14   |   Luke 2:1-14

Long ago in a far away kingdom, there was a forward thinking king who believed in quick justice. One day, a thief was brought by the guards to him for his judgement. The king told him he had two options. He could be hung by a rope or take the punishment behind the big dark scary steel door.

Not knowing what chastisement awaited him behind the steel dark door, the thief immediately chose to be hung by the rope. As the noose was being placed around his neck the thief asked the king “just out of curiosity, what’s behind the steel door?” The king paused. The thief pressed and said “clearly I am not going to be able to tell anyone," pointing to the strap around his neck.  The king laugh quietly and said "Freedom is behind those doors. But it seems most people are so afraid of the unknown that they immediately take the rope."

Everybody is afraid of something. Very young children typically fear animals, dark rooms, high places, strangers and loud noises. Grownups are more likely scared about broken relationships, increasing poverty and unemployment, political instability, lack of education, religious conflicts, large scale conflicts and wars, earthquakes, typhoons and other disasters. Most of us see Christmas as a season of joy and merry-making. We decorate our houses, hold parties, get together to eat, join in games, and organize white elephant gift exchange. We greet each other "Merry Christmas" or "Maligayang Pasko". At Christmastime we tend to focus on the joy and gladness we feel, but for a moment, let’s think about fear. As the king said in the story, most people, in truth, are afraid of the unknown. Fear comes from uncertainty. The first Christmas is characterized by fear and anxiety because it is one with most insecurity surrounding it. The nativity stories in the Bible do not pretend that it was easy for Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus: The first Christmas features a relationship problem between a couple where the pregnant woman is almost abandoned by her fiancé because he thought she was unfaithful (cf. Matthew 1:18-19). The first Christmas was a humble time with no proper living conditions and the baby lying in the manger after the very pregnant young woman and her gentleman companion are turned away from an inn (cf. Luke 2:7). The first Christmas was a troubled affair involving dangerous journeys. Some local king, threatened by a baby who comes as king of kings, puts out a hit on the baby's life, compelling the new family's escape to Egypt as refugees. Infuriated that the child has escaped, the king orders the massacre of all babies under the age of two in and around Bethlehem (cf. Matthew 2:3-16). Has the world changed since that first Christmas? More than 2,000 years have passed since that first Christmas but we are still experiencing anxiety. We are troubled by COVID-19. We are troubled by the calamities and disasters. We feel scared of losing our job. We are anxious at the thought of not having enough food on the table. We dread the day when we will not have enough money to pay our bills and buy new stuff. We fear that one day we will have to break off a ten-year relationship that barely works. We fear that we will lose influence and friends. We are afraid of police officers who have gone trigger-happy and nuts. We are scared of the ₱8.6 trillion national debt. We are overly anxious of graft and corruption in government. We are full of fear as if God is not with us.

How wonderful it is that back in the Garden of Eden God promised to send the Savior. When Jesus Christ came, his life fully matched over 300 specific predictions in the Old Testament. The prophet Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Isaiah foretold his miraculous birth that a virgin would conceive. The prophet Zechariah foretold his entry into Jerusalem on a donkey and his betrayal for 30 pieces of silver by one of his followers. Isaiah described that "The Lord's anointed will preach the good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted..." The prophet David foretold the Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced and the soldiers would cast lots for his clothing. When the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, he focused on Christ as the reason not to fear, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy.” The good news is that we should no longer be afraid because we have absolute certainty that God keeps his promise. We should be afraid no more because the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Habang may isang pinuno na nagdudumaling maging diyos, may isang Diyos na nagdumaling maging tao upang damayan  tayo sa hirap. While we have a leader who craves of becoming god, we see a God who desires to become man like us to walk us through the turmoil of this world. And that is what God says to us today, no matter what our fears may be. When we feel afraid, let us turn our attention toward Christ. He is saying to you right now, “Do not be afraid.” It’s been said by authors like Liz Babbs and Richard Rohr, OFM that there are 365 “Do not be afraids” in the Bible, one “Do not be afraid” for every day of the year — actually there are more than 365 “Do not be afraids” in the Scriptures! God doesn’t want us to go a single day without hearing his word of comfort: “Fear not!”

What fear is trying to take a hold of you right now? What threat or trouble are you facing? Christmas is an incredible reminder that we can depend on the god who keeps his promises. God never fails and He is always faithful. Always trust in Him. Huwag kang mangamba. Do not be afraid.

Merry Christmas and a smooth start of 2021 to everyone! <enrique.ofs>