It is Christmas once again! It’s the time of the year when there is a desire in each one of us to give gifts to our loved ones and friends, no matter how little and simple. There is in us the desire to give because giving is an expression of love. Gift-giving on Christmas started from God. It was the Father who gave a very special gift to humanity on the first Christmas night. Jesus, the Son of the Father, the Word made flesh, the baby in the manger is the Father’s gift to humanity. Jesus in the manger is a very powerful expression of the Father’s love. Jesus is the love of the Father embodied. That is the meaning of the Incarnation. That is the meaning of Christmas.
When God said He loves us, it did not remain only in words, it was not purely emotion. When God said He loves us, He sent His Son to be one like us except sin. “Et verbum caro factum est” “And the Word was made flesh.”
Love is not only in words or emotions. Love, if it is true, must be seen in deeds. Our love must be embodied. We cannot love by simply saying it. Our love is incomplete if it is just in the level of emotion and sentimentality. Our love must be active and dynamic. Our love must have flesh and blood. This Christmas and even after Christmas, let us show our love, not just in words, not just in emotions but in deeds.
The love of the Father embodied in Jesus is enriched by His name, Emmanuel, God is with us. He is the God in our midst; He is the God present among us. One of the best expressions of love is presence. We cannot say “I love you” to a person and not to be available for him or her. When God said “I love you,” God said I am with you. God is with us as we face the difficulties and hardships in life. He is with us as we experience hurts and afflictions. He is with us no matter what life gives us. There is no need to be afraid, nothing to fear. God is with us.
Christmas is all about the love of the Father that assures us of His abiding presence in Jesus. Christmas is God telling us “I love you”. When we greet each other “Merry Christmas”, we actually are saying God loves you. This Christmas and even after Christmas, may we truly experience the love of the Father in Jesus. May we find opportunities to let others experience the Father’s love through us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Fr.Val P. Devera
Pastor
