Solemnity of Christmas Year C
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory (Jn 1:14).
Literally, the Word set up his tent among us (Greek eskênõsen).
In ancient times to set up a tent meant to occupy a space and therefore be visible, leaving traces behind. In other words, no one can deny it, because it is a tangible reality.
St. John repeats it again: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you (1 Jn 1:1-3).
We saw his glory (Jn 1:14b). John uses a specific Greek verb theaomai that implies seeing, contemplating, visiting a person. We have not only seen him from afar, but we have a personal experience with him. We saw him and touched him. He is real! It is this personal experience that proofs Jesus is the Son of God; Jesus is the Word made flesh; Jesus is light; Jesus is life! From his fullness we have received grace upon grace (v. 16).
The verb used for received – elabomen – means to take with hands. Again, it is a very tangible thing. It is not a theory, knowledge, that you “take away” meaning “you learn, understand.” No, it is something tangible, practical, life changing. Life changing because the Law was given by Moses. But no one can fulfill it. No one can keep all commandments.
The Law itself does not give you the power to live a different life. It reveals my faults and weaknesses. However, Jesus, the Incarnate Word, gives the grace – the power to do so. He does so, first, by forgiving our sins and healing our wounds. Second, in the very moment of forgiveness, he empowers you to live a different life. Even though we fail repeatedly, he is still there to lift up, forgive, and reset!
This is the witness of the first disciples, the witness of John, and witness of every person who received Jesus, the Incarnate Word, into his/her life! All these highlight the tangible reality of the Incarnation and salvation.
Where is my place in all of this? The Christmas celebration that started on the Eve of Christmas and goes on for several weeks (not before Christmas but after!) is the time of contemplation of our own lives. Did Jesus set up a tent in my life (v. 14)? Is he part of my life? Did I let him in, accept him (v. 12)? Do I have a personal experience with him? A life-changing experience in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, for example? Did I see him – meet him? Let us find time to ponder these questions!
Let us look at the witness of other Christians! Let us be inspired by them to come closer to Jesus! To take his offer seriously and make or renew a personal friendship with him!
With delight, I listened to a man of my parish who shared his conversion story. He became atheist in high school because of the bad example of priests and went away from Christianity. He lived a dissolute life, enjoying exclusively himself. As a college student, he made sure he partied just as much as he studied.
Do whatever you want to do was his leitmotif until the day when his friend stopped joining him. He did not get the point how he could give up such an easy life and become a disciple of Christ. He started to convince him about his foolishness. But the friend refused to participate.
Nevertheless, his friend listened to him. He spoke to him about Jesus and how Jesus freed him from inner emptiness, restlessness and the frustration from unsatisfied desires. He never joined again in sexual orgies and drug parties, but he was always there to help him. It was strange.
The more he observed his friend and listened to him, the more he realized he wanted to have the same peace and inner strength facing challenges. He returned to Jesus. Today, he witnesses that he indeed “has life in Jesus and seen his glory!” Today, he shares what he himself has heard, seen and touched. Jesus is for real! Have a life-changing Christmas!