Christmas Homily 2024
Years ago, in Australia, an article appeared in a newspaper recounting the beautiful story of a young man. When this young man was a boy, he lived in one of the remote villages of New South Wales, on the edge of the vast desert at the heart of Australia. For primary school, he walked there daily because it wasn’t far. One day after school, on his way home, he spotted a rather peculiar stone and began kicking it as if it were a football. When he reached home, he picked it up and placed it on the windowsill of his bedroom. His mother, while cleaning his room, would often say she was going to throw it away, but he never let her. Time passed. He went to secondary school and later to university in Sydney. There, he made many new friends, including his best friend, who became like a brother to him. His friend happened to be studying geology, which is the study of stones and minerals. One day, during a holiday, he invited his friend to visit the remote village at the edge of the desert. While there, his friend noticed the stone on the windowsill and asked, "Where did you get this stone?" He recounted the story. The geologist said, "Let me take it and test it because I think I have a surprise for you." When it was tested, it turned out to be a diamond worth millions. His mother, when interviewed by the media, said, "We had a treasure on the windowsill, and not only didn’t we recognise it, but we almost threw it out the window so many times."
Isn’t it amazing when you stop to reflect? Isn’t our life like that diamond? God gives us the gift of life, or rather, our existence, creating us in His image. This is the greatest gift He could give us because not only did He create us, but He made us to resemble Him. Yet if we don’t let that special friend into our lives, life is like that diamond on the windowsill—its true value undiscovered, and we risk throwing it away. Sadly, many in today’s world do just that. That friend is Jesus, and only He can help us discover the beauty of life, reveal how deeply God loves us, and give His life so we can truly live.
This Holy Night/Day, we are not just remembering what happened two thousand years ago; the event we celebrate today is too important to be confined to history. Today, we celebrate an event that is happening now, at this moment. Jesus is being born for us now. Jesus is present for us now. This poor manger represents the heart of all humanity, and if humanity strays from it, it loses its essence. How much Jesus teaches us from this stable, from this manger!
But, dear friends, it’s not only those who never approach the manger who risk losing their way. We, too, gathered here tonight to celebrate this great event, are like a glowing coal that, when separated from the fire, cools and dies out. So how can we keep the fire of the manger burning in our hearts? Jesus is born for us to give us the greatest gift ever: Himself. This is the gift of faith, inviting us, weak and sinful as we are, to enter into a relationship as children of God the Father, who loves us so deeply. This is a gift, not something we earn. But faith, like an oil lamp, needs oil to keep burning. What is this oil?
First, the Mass: the Mass is the greatest way to encounter God. At the Last Supper, Jesus Himself said, "Do this in memory of me." So anyone who claims, "You don’t need to go to Mass to pray," is mistaken. Yes, to encounter God, you need to attend Mass; He Himself told us so. Let’s be honest with ourselves: in our daily lives, filled with distractions, if not for the Mass stopping us amidst life’s frantic pace, what else would? How easy it is for modern man to get lost in the distractions of the world, forgetting that the greatest treasure, given by God, is within us. The Mass and God’s Word help us pause and reflect on what truly matters.
Second, Confession: confession not only reconnects us with God but also with ourselves. It’s like a mirror: an ordinary mirror shows your outward appearance, but confession shows your inner self. Confession is a journey—the most difficult and important journey of life—into our hearts. Often, we fear it because we don’t want to confront what’s inside. But avoiding this journey allows inner darkness to grow and dominate us. In confession, we take this journey with our greatest friend, Jesus, who not only forgives but frees us from the burden of sin.
Third, Prayer: Imagine two lovers who claim to love each other but never find time to talk. That’s prayer. Do you want to know how much you love God? See how much time you make for Him. Prayer isn’t a gift we give to God; it’s a gift we allow Him to give us. Through prayer, God transforms us gradually, making us more like Him. Prayer is an experience of God’s personal love. Until we’ve had an authentic prayer experience, God remains someone we’ve only heard about, someone we haven’t truly met.
Fourth, Charity: this is the most important of the four. In fact, the Lord will judge us based on this. But remember, all four must go together, like a table with four legs. Charity isn’t just giving money to those in need. Above all, it’s about how you treat those around you: starting with your family, greeting those you meet, showing patience in traffic, or caring for nature, which God entrusted to us all.
Have you ever complained about how life has changed for the worse? Be the change you wish to see. Start here, near the manger of Jesus. As St John of the Cross said, "Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love."
Prayer
On your behalf, I would like to end with a prayer to the Infant Jesus:
Before Your manger, Lord Jesus, we kneel. We have prepared not only the manger for You but, above all, our hearts, for we need You so much. Our lives are empty without You.
Be born in our hearts, Lord: in the hearts of our children and youth, who need You so much; be their great friend and guide them through life’s storms.
Be born, Lord, in our families, bringing love, unity, and forgiveness.
Be born, Lord, in the hearts of our sick and elderly, that despite illness and age, they may feel the peace only You can give.
Be born, Lord, in those who feel alone or burdened, that they may find courage and someone who truly loves them.
Be born, Lord, in the hearts of Your priests, that, filled with faith, they may be instruments in Your hands, reaching many and filling them with Your love.
Above all, Lord, be born in our parish, gathering us around this altar where You give us Yourself in Your Word and Your most holy Body and Blood. Make us a community of true faith, not just in coming to Mass but, above all, in showing love and respect for one another.
Be born, Lord, in our country and the whole world, for without You, only darkness can reign over us. Only with You, Lord, can we see the beauty of true love, the peace that only You can give, and the unity of brothers and sisters, for we are all children of our one Father in heaven.
Amen.