First Reading (Isaiah 9:1-6)
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the shadow of death, a light has dawned. You have increased their joy and increased their gladness; they rejoice before you like joyful reapers at the harvest, or like warriors exalted when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened the people, the burden on their shoulders, the pride of the tax collectors, you have broken down as in the journey to Midian. The boots of the raiding party, the garments stained with blood, all will be burned and devoured by the flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; he bears the crown of kingship on his shoulders; His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of the Ages to Come, Prince of Peace. His kingdom will be great and there will be no end of peace, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, which he will establish and establish with righteousness and holiness from now on and forevermore. The zealous love of the Lord of hosts will accomplish these things.
– The word of the Lord.
Gospel (Luke 1,26-38)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph. He was a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!” Mary was troubled by this and began to wonder what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child to be born will be called the Son of God. And your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren, for nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word!” And the angel departed.
— The Word of the Savior.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On this holy night, the words of the prophet Isaiah and the account in the Gospel of Luke intertwine to bring us a message of profound hope and joy. For on this night, a light shines in the midst of darkness, and a child is conceived who will change the course of history forever.
Listen carefully to Isaiah’s words: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” What a powerful image! Imagine a world plunged into darkness—not just the physical darkness of night, but the spiritual darkness of sin, suffering, and hopelessness.
It is in this dark scenario that Isaiah presents us with a radiant vision: a great light that appears, dispelling the darkness. It is as if God himself lights a torch in the midst of the deepest darkness, saying: “I am here. Do not give up. Salvation is on the way.” And who is this light? The Gospel of Luke reveals to us: it is Jesus, the Son of God, conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit. The promised Messiah, the Savior whom God sent to rescue humanity from the darkness of sin and death. But it is not just any light. Isaiah describes this child as “wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace.” What extraordinary titles! This is not simply a human leader, however wise or powerful he may be. No, this is God himself, clothed in our fragile human condition. Imagine for a moment: God, the Creator of the entire universe, the Lord of heaven and earth, accepting to take the form of a helpless baby. Setting aside His infinite glory and majesty to be born in a humble stable, surrounded by animals and shepherds. The Eternal becoming temporal, the Almighty clothing Himself with weakness.
But why? Why would God do this? The answer lies at the heart of this story: because He loves us. Because He desperately wants to rescue us from darkness, to free us from the slavery of sin and death.
Listen to the words of Mary, the young virgin chosen by God to be the mother of the Savior: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” What humility and willingness to surrender to God’s will! Mary does not fully understand what is happening, but she trusts. She gives her unconditional “yes” to the divine plan.
And so, the Son of God is conceived in the womb of Mary. A new era begins, a cosmic transformation is underway. For in this baby, the Kingdom of God becomes incarnate, justice and peace meet, and hope springs from the ashes of despair.
My beloved, this is not just a story of the past. This is a reality that extends to our day and beyond. For the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem continues to come to us, to illuminate our darkness, to bring His peace and His love.
How often do we find ourselves walking in the darkness of doubt, pain, or loneliness? How often do we feel that the darkness of sin, injustice, and death surrounds us, suffocating our souls? It is here, in these darkest hours, that the light of Christ shines most brightly.
As Isaiah prophesied, this light has come to “break the yoke that oppressed them, the bar from their shoulders, the scepter of their oppressor.” Jesus came to free us, not only from sin, but from everything that enslaves and destroys us. He came to establish His Kingdom of justice, love and peace.
And just as Mary said “yes” to God’s will, we are invited to do the same. To welcome Jesus into our hearts, to let Him take possession of our lives. For as we allow Him to be born in us, His light begins to shine through us.
Imagine the scene: you, like Mary, saying “yes” to God. You, as a channel of divine grace, allowing the light of Christ to illuminate a world sunk in darkness. You, as an ambassador of the Kingdom, bringing peace, joy and hope to those who are lost and despairing.
My brothers and sisters, this is our calling as followers of Christ. Not just to celebrate the miracle of Christmas, but to become living miracles in this world. To be the light that shines in the midst of darkness, the hope that emerges from despair, the peace that overcomes chaos.
May this holy night be a milestone in our lives. May we, gathered here and now as a family of faith, say with Mary: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And may we, like her, be docile instruments in the hands of God, allowing His transforming light to shine through us.
For this light did not come merely to illuminate a stable in faraway Bethlehem. It came to illuminate the world. It came to illuminate your hearts and your lives. It came to illuminate the darkness of my own soul.
So, my dear ones, embrace this light. Let it penetrate every dark corner of your lives. Let it guide you, comfort you, strengthen you. And then, go forth from here, like shining stars in a dark sky, reflecting the splendor of that Child born on this holy night.
May the grace, peace, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Merry Christmas to all! Amen.
