Christmas Eve Homily 2022
Christmas Eve 2022
Regardless of where we are this weekend, it is Christmas.
Whether we are with our loved ones or missing them, it is Christmas.
If our celebration is a scaled down version of Christmas’ past, have no fear.
It is still Christmas.
Throughout the four weeks of Advent, we have prayed for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Hope for the future, peace in the world, Joy in our hearts, and in gratitude for God’s love.
These are the things we value.
These are the things the world truly needs.
At Christmas, the world receives the Christ Child, Emmanuel, God with us.
God’s love comes to the world through Jesus.
You see, Jesus’ way teaches us, shows us how to find hope, live peacefully, express joy, and share God’s love.
Now the gathering that first Christmas was small.
Many of God’s people had their eye on other things like most people today.
Beyond Mary, Joseph, and the heavenly host, only marginalized Jewish shepherds, and sojourners from another land receive the good news of God’s revelation at Jesus’ birth.
Since then, millions of people around the world have found themselves at the manger, worshipping the baby born for us, born in us.
The hope, peace, joy, and love we have discovered in Jesus shape us as we journey through this life of faith.
The world becomes a better place.
Paul’s letter to Titus attempts to describe the qualities of the life we are to lead: self-controlled, upright, godly.
Life is precious, a gift.
Why waste it on meaningless things?
God’s gift of love is freely given, but we are invited, encouraged to incarnate the love we find in Jesus.
Our role as followers of Jesus goes beyond our enjoyment listening to bible stories, singing Christmas carols, and gathering at the church.
The love we receive knows no bounds.
It shines from within you day by day as Christ reaches out to others through you.
Let the light of love continue to shine through you.
We live in a troubled, challenging time, but as the prophets proclaim, God’s love will see us through to a better day.
May the love of God revealed through Jesus the Christ truly be Christmas for you this year!
Merry Christmas, one and all!