Christmas Homily 2022

12-25-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

Christmas is one of the most important events in human history as we celebrate the mystery of God coming down to be with us. He took our human nature to be one of us, to liberate us from the of death caused by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. This event happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem and until date the celebration reminds us that Jesus still wants to be born in our lives.

The birth of Jesus took place while Joseph and Mary were on their way to be registered for the census that was going on during the period. It was along the way that Mary was due to be delivered of her baby. As Joseph and Mary were searching for a place for Jesus to be born, every door they knocked at were closed against them as no one offered room for Jesus. Finding no place to have her baby, Mary delivered her baby in a house of animals, wrapped Him in swaddling cloth and laid Him in a manger because people closed their doors to Joseph and Mary who is pregnant of Jesus.

Today Jesus still searches for a place to be born. He wants to be born in our hearts but there are no rooms for Him to be born because our hearts are closed and there is no space to let Him in. Our hearts are filled with countless worries, anxieties, envy, attachments, unforgiving spirits, and pride. Let us take the opportunity of this Christmas to free our hearts of all these attachments and give Jesus a chance to come in. Let the door of your heart be open for Jesus to come in. We can begin by giving Him a place in our busy schedule to come to Mass more regularly especially on Sundays. Let us realize that when we welcome Jesus into our lives He takes care of our anxiety, worries, and frees us of all these unnecessary attachments that keep us in chain. When we allow Jesus to be born in our lives, He gives us the Spirit of peace that His birth brought to the world and we would be able to face the challenges of the future with hope knowing that God is with us.

To our dear friends, guests, and those of you who are here today to celebrate this Christmas with us this year may your coming be blessed with the grace of God, may your family be blessed with peace and good health, may your prayers be heard and may you find joy in coming to be with us today. If you are among those that come once a year, Jesus wants to be born in your heart today that you continue to come every Sunday as He searches for you and wants you to be with Him every Sunday and not on a yearly basis.

Happy Christmas and a blessed new year.

Father Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.

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