The Joy of Christmas

There is a joy that goes with the hustle and bustle of Christmas - the giving and receiving of presents, the reunion of families, the meetings with friends and the parties.

There is also a deeper joy - the rejoicing at the coming of Jesus into our world. The readings in the Christmas masses express this in many ways.

"The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone." (Is. 9/2). What is this light? "For there is a child born to us, a son given to us … Wonderful-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace." (Is. 9/).

Who is the "Son" who is born to us? The great fourteenth century mystic John Tauler speaks of the three births of Jesus.

First, as St. John tells us, Jesus is the Word who was with God from the beginning and this Word was God. (cf. Jn. 1/1). This was is first 'birth' - as the Creed expresses it - "eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the father." From the Father and the Son proceeds the Holy Spirit, the giver of life.

In a human way we can say that God was not content. "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in him may not perish but have eternal life." (Jn. 3/16). This is the second birth of Jesus - the giving of His Son to the world. Jesus born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem in Judea.

For this second great birth of Jesus the co-operation of a human being was needed. That human being was Mary. She was the one who could say 'I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.' (Lk. 1/38). Mary was totally open to God and his message. Mary was totally available to God for whatever he wished.

Mary could now journey to her cousin Elizabeth and both of them dance and sing for joy at the news of the Child in her womb. Their joy was full, complete, intoxicating so that even the child in the womb of Elizabeth leapt for joy.

Why did this Son come into the world? "When the kindness and love of God our Saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us .. so that .. we become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life." Titus (3/4-7).

Jesus came that we might become part of God's family. For this to happen Jesus must be born in each of us. This is His third birth. For this birth to become real in each of us we must be open and totally available, like Mary, to Jesus. It is a life long task. Each Christmas brings us another step along the way. Take a quiet moment this Christmas. Pause and re-dedicate yourself to Jesus. Open your heart and allow his love, healing and forgiveness flow into you that your joy may be full.