December 25, 2008: Christmas

Light in life’s darkness, joy in the midst of tears, freedom born in slavery: these are the works of God in the world; of this Isaiah is certain. St. Paul calls this Light “Grace,” and describes it as a “Trainer.” How many of us have (or wish we had) personal trainers, helping us to keep physically fit? Here, God’s Grace (personified in Christ) is seen as “a spiritual trainer” coaching us to avoid life’s pitfalls, and to do good. Luke’s Gospel announces that although Augustus Caesar may have called himself “son of God, and prince of peace,” that the Light was really elsewhere…in a tiny manger, in little Bethlehem, attended by shepherds (a job considered one of the lowest occupations a human being could have at that time.) Yet they, in their smallness saw the Light. We can, too; and that Light can be the Grace that trains us to become men and women of depth, doing all the good we are capable of doing. Let us rejoice in our smallness, and welcome the Light this night.