Christmas Yesterday, Today and Forever

Within the Most Holy Trinity Christmas has always existed, for the Word of God is eternal. By Him all things were made in six days (cf. Jn 1:1-3), and it was on His account that the Most High determined that the last day of creation be dedicated to Him alone: the Sabbath, which, after being transcended by the Resurrection of the Saviour, gave way to the “day of the Lord” – dies Dominicus.

Thus, on Sunday, both the repose of creation and its apex are recalled, namely, the Word Incarnate, and accordingly, the Nativity of Jesus is the “Sunday” of the year.

However, Lucifer does not tolerate Christmas. Rebelling against the God made Man, he was immediately cast into hell, but his diabolical fury did not cease. He tried at all costs to prevent the Messiah from arising from the House of David. He undermined the hopes of the Jewish people with trials, exiles and disasters. And even in the circumstances surrounding that most holy night, he plotted against the life of Jesus, inciting hatred in those who rejected Him (cf. Jn 1:11).

Before the coming of that Child, the centuries had dragged by in darkness, and the serpent’s murmur echoed everywhere: “You shall be as gods” (Gn 3:5). In Rome, emperors deified themselves through power; in Greece, sophists deified themselves through knowledge; in Israel, Pharisees deified themselves by appearances… And what was Providence’s response? To invert the paradigm: You want to be gods? Then you will have a God-Man! Clothed in our flesh, Jesus raised us to Divinity. Born in a poor manger, He granted us the treasures of Heaven. Without uttering a word, He drew humanity to himself. It was enough to see the Newborn Child to recognize Him (cf. Lk 2:17).

Joy immediately radiated around Him. The Angels glorified the Divine Infant in the heavenly heights, the shepherds praised Him on earth, and all who heard the good news of His birth were filled with wonder (cf. Lk 2:14-18). For us, Christmas is an opportunity to experience a drop of that sacred atmosphere. The mere sound of Christmas music is enough to revive our springtime innocence. On that day, even grace is more abundant: sinners are converted, families are reconciled, and hostile nations observe ceasefire…

Yet the world insists on ignoring Jesus (cf. Jn 1:10). Lucifer continues to hate the Nativity and all of its consequences. Since, in Bethlehem, we find the holiest of families, sanctity Incarnate and God’s greatest act of mercy to humanity, it is precisely by the attack on the family, virtue and religion that the authentic Christmas spirit is disfigured today.

The theory is clear, but what should be done in practice?

This “Sunday of the year” is an occasion for us too to be “born anew” (Jn 3:3). How? By imitating the example of Mary in Bethlehem. Just as She kept and continues to keep in her Heart all of the events surrounding the holy Birth (cf. Lk 2:19), it is through Her that Christmas will attain its highest perfection. ◊