As we gather around flickering candles and twinkling lights, celebrating in the warmth of our homes this holiday season, let us reflect on the profound meaning of Christmas. Beyond merely marking a historical event, Christmas is a transformative journey beginning in the heart of everyone who invites Christ in.

We’re not just celebrating Jesus’ birth in a manger long ago. More importantly, we’re celebrating His birth within each of us, igniting a newness of life that radiates as a gift of love and redemption. 

Imagine Bethlehem, not as a faraway village, but a sacred space within our very being where Jesus is reborn timelessly. This internal renewal holds more power than external circumstances, for it is through this spiritual awakening that He imparts grace and salvation. His divine birth heralds a metamorphosis of the heart, a realization that we must treat everyone with joy and kindness.

Recall the words of St. John’s gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Like a seed sown in fertile soil, this Word became flesh in Bethlehem and flourishes within us, manifesting through compassionate action. Jesus’ teachings, especially the Beatitudes which elevate the condition of the human heart, guide us away from material desires toward spiritual awareness.

Thus, this joy of Christmas isn’t an abstract concept or a mere celebration on a historical event. It’s a lived experience, deeply embedded in the fabric of our everyday existence.

The Golden Rule remains at the heart of His teachings — treating others as we wish to be treated. This principle of service, empathy, and altruistic action calls us to transform the world. Embracing this golden rule wholeheartedly offers a remedy for sin and selfishness – the true joy of Christmas.

In contemporary times, Christmas is often viewed sentimentally as an enjoyable emotion rather than an enduring state of being and growth. In its essence, Christmas is a profound experience capable of reshaping our lives and society for the better. Yet, we live in an age where the spirit of Christmas is often diluted, its message generalized to “Happy Holidays” to avoid offending others with different beliefs. But the beauty of Christmas, with its universal message of love and unity, does not alienate but rather unites us in our common humanity.

As the world longs for hope and unity, let us remember that the birth of Christ has profoundly influenced it, building foundations of compassion, tolerance and inclusivity – values attributed to the Enlightenment, yet actually rooted in Christianity. Sure, the history of Christianity has suffered from many abuses, but these abuses have nothing to do with Christ and his  example of God’s universal love.

On this festive day and time, may we not only celebrate Jesus’ birth but also renew our commitment to live by His teachings. As we spread joy and engage in acts of kindness, we carry His light of faith, hope, and love to a world compromised by sin.

May Christmas inspire us to create a world of joy instead.

Merry Christmas to all.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy