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 CHRISTMAS: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH

(John 1:1-18)

In today's solemnity, we celebrate the taking flesh of that word delivered to Mary. Today, Mary is delivered of a Son. The Son of God that has become the son of Man. The child of God mixes up with the children of men to make them the children of God.

The message of angel of God has come to manifestation. The plan of God for man has come to fulfillment.  Heaven and earth rejoice to welcome the one who reconciles them. The angels that were placed at the garden of Eden to ensure that man never gets access to it now rejoice that man has been restored to peace with God by Christ the prince of peace.  Man has given flesh to God and opens his arms to embrace the spirit from God. Man has handed over damnation to accept salvation.  Man receives life and God destroys death forever.  Out of darkness, Christ the light of the world appears to lead man into life everlasting.

Alléluia! Christ is born in Bethlehem.

 

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS

 

ACCEPT CHRIST:

The gospel highlights that those who accepted Christ receives and believed in him received the power of being called children of God. Christ coming into the world reminds us of our origin, of whom we are called to be: children of God.  In Christ God wants us take back our true image.  Let us welcome Christ the newborn king with joy. Let us open our arms to look into the eyes of this God that visits us as a baby. Let us go back into the garden where we played with God with childlikeness. Let us admire the love of God that comes to dwell among us. Remove from your heart and from your home anything that will stand as a hindrance for the new born King to enter and reign with tenderness and compassion.

 

Express Love

As we welcome Christ with love, let us express love to one another. Let us share the little we have. Let us care and offer a helping hand. Let us be filled with joy and spread true happiness. Let us bring Christ to the masses. That is Christmas.

 

Christ's Mass

Let us celebrate Mass in honour of Christ. Let us stop deceiving ourselves with the worldly celebrations in the name of Christmas that is outside the intention of God and the Church for this season. Christ is the reason for this season. Let's offer the Holy Eucharist with pure hearts in Thanksgiving to God for what He has done for us in Christ. Let's make Christ shine.

 

Drive Darkness away

Christ comes in as light in a dark world to driver away the darkness of the devil and of sin. Let us this period, be agents of light to drive away darkness in our world, in politics, in religion, in our cultures, in business, in the family and all our endeavours.

 

Time to glorify God

The gospel maintained: we saw his glory. Let the glory of God be seen in all we during this festive season. God wants to see us glorify him. Travel to glorify God, give to glorify God, play to glorify God, pray to glorify God, sing to glorify God, meet family and friends glorifying God. Shun any actions and inactions that will not give glory to God this season.

 

Be filled with grace and truth

And the word became flesh and lived among us we saw his glory full of grace and truth.

My dearest friends in the Lord. We have prepared ourselves by sacramental confession for this holy season.  Let us remain in the state of grace. Let us stand up for Christ.  Let us be true to our calling as children of God. Let us speak the truth that will bring justice and reconciliation in our families, in the Church and in our world. May we all be filled with the grace of God and enjoy the blessings of the nativity of Christ.

Blessings

May Christ the newborn king, reign in our lives. May he the light of the world deliver us from the danger of this dark world. May this celebration bring us joy, happiness, healing and divine favours in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Merry Christmas to you.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh