25.12.2023 – Villanueva del Arzobispo – Iznatoraf (Jaén)

And the Word became flesh – The Incarnation

Is 52: 7-10, Ps 97, Heb 1: 1-6, John 1: 1-18

Merry Christmas to you all!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Birth of the Son of God – Christmas. The key word today is INCARNATION. This is what we profess in the Creed – Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria virgine, et homo factus est. (and by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of Mary, the Virgin, and became man). The Incarnation is the third article of the Catholic faith. It means – God became man.

The prologue of John (1: 1-18), the gospel we have just heard is one of the texts well studied by biblical experts. On a day like this, it is good to pay attention to it and reread it with deep reflection and meditation. Verse 14 is crucial: “and the Word became flesh and dwelt (encamped) among us.” The mystery of the Incarnation is expressed here. The Greek verb used here (εσκηνωσεν) means “to pitch tent.” It evokes the Tabernacle, in which the Lord shows his presence in the midst of the people of Israel by certain signs of his glory, such as the cloud resting on the tent (cf. Ex 25: 8; 40: 34-35, etc.). In the Incarnation of the Son of God, Isaiah’s promise of “Emmanuel” or “God with us” is also fulfilled (Is 7:14, Matt 1:23).

Today we are invited to make a profound act of faith and adore the Incarnate Word. It is the Incarnation that gives us the possibility of becoming children of God. St. Athanasius said – “The Son of God became man so that the children of man, the children of Adam, might become children of God. He is the son of God by nature; we by grace” (De Incarnatione contra Apollinarium, 8).

John’s prologue in verses 11-12 says that the Word “came to his own house, and his own received it not. But as many as received it, to them he gives power to become the sons of God, if they believe in his name.” As a gospel written against a background of religious persecution of Christians in the first century Roman Empire, the evangelist John knows that this Word made flesh, the child God born in Bethlehem was rejected, was crucified on the cross and his followers were punished, persecuted and killed. But those who accepted this son of God and stood firm in faith in him gained as a reward eternal life in the Father’s kingdom. That is to say: The mystery of the Incarnation and the paschal mystery; Bethlehem and Calvary are inseparable.

As in the Roman Empire, like Herod who tried to kill the child, Christ is being rejected today in various ways. Christ is being rejected every day, not only by those who clearly oppose the values of the Gospel, but also by Christians who are afraid to make Him known, by Christians who are afraid to live their faith, by Christians who pay Him only lip service. On this Christmas Day, we pray that we may be among those who receive Christ with joy and happiness. Those who receive the newborn Child, the incarnate Word with joy are those who are prepared to be his witnesses. Prepared to carry and transmit his light in the world filled with darkness. 

We contemplate and celebrate today with joy and humble faith the glory of God, who wanted to save mankind by coming down from heaven to be like one of them. As we rejoice today, let’s not forget to adore the New Born King with our joyful hymns of praise just like the Angels sang on that first Christmas Day.

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the new-born king

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled”

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim

“Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the new-born king”

Merry Christmas to you all!