“THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT” (Isa 9:2)

⏰CHRISTMAS EVE (MIDNIGHT MASS)

????Isa 9:2-7; Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13 (R. cf. Luke 2:11); Tit 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

????”THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT” (Isa 9:2)

We have come to a very significant night! We are all keeping Vigil and waiting for the appearing of the Messiah! Great signs accompany him as he appears. The prophet Isaiah points out that he shall appear as the light the enlightens the darkness of our lives.

Darkness brings confusion and pains into our lives. It blocks away opportunities and introduces insecurity. This darkness can be in the form of poverty, sickness, unemployment, injustice, oppression, etc. But the Messiah comes with the light as a “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).

This light takes away our pains and sorrow and gives us joy. On this night, at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, an angel takes the message of that joy to the shepherds in this way, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people” (Luke 2:10).

The shepherds represent the humble and lowly men of the society who look out with hope for the coming of the Messiah to redeem them. One trait that sets the shepherds apart is their patience, which helps them to take proper care of the sheep.

This patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which empowers “us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit 2:12-13).

Do you share that hope in the saving powers of Jesus, the expected Messiah? Can his mother, Mary find a good place in your heart and in your home to give birth to him?

I pray that this Messiah, who is the Light of the world (John 8:12), may lighten up your life and all around you, and so drive away any force of darkness that is trying to cause confusion in your life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Christmas dear. It is well with you.