An extract from my Christmas Morning Homily

And he dwelt among us.  Literally, in the Greek, it says, he set up His tent among us.  He threw his lot in with us.  It wasn’t just that he passed through – making an appearance and then vanishing like a shooting-star making its way across the heavens.  That would make the Incarnation, the Word becoming Flesh, a wonder – something to be commemorated, but not the mystery we celebrate today.  No, He became one of our tribe in such a way that our sufferings are His sufferings, our victories are His victories.  When he ascends to the right hand of the Father, it is not to abandon us, but rather, to lead us on that same journey.  The manner of His coming shows what He intends.  He wasn’t born in a palace or behind closed doors.  He wasn’t insulated from the hardships of life.  He came among us in a stable where poor shepherds and wise Kings found an equal welcome.  He came to us as a child – so that instead of putting fear into our hearts, He might draw love out of them instead. 

To all who did accept Him, he gave power to become children of God.  That is why we rejoice today.  He didn’t just come among us as a teacher or a guide.  He came to transform us – to make us children of God.  Beginning with the love and wonder we feel when we gaze on Him in the Nativity scene, He wants to transform our entire being – to turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, to bind up our wounds, to give us the strength to walk righteously and to restore our friendship with the Father.  This day, we see the Saviour who has come to search for us, the one who wants to spend time with us.  Come, therefore, and let us find him.  Let us adore Him who is so great.  Let us spend time with Him in prayer.  Let us receive Him in the Eucharist.  Let us know His reconciliation.  Let us see his Glory and learn from his humility.  Let us welcome the One who is the true light.