Reflections from the Heart – December 25, 2022

The Nativity of the Lord
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“I proclaim to you good news of great joy.” Our gracious Lord, our sovereign King, our holy Ruler, our soul’s provider, comes, he advents, he waits no longer.  He makes haste to come to us and to announce to us, present to us, reveal to us, proclaim to us good news of great joy.  The Good News of the greatest Joy! God gives us the holy and sacred proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is the cause of our joy.  The great joy we celebrate this sacred season.  A time and a cause of joyful expression and joyous celebration. The time has finally come.  Its advent is finally here.  No more waiting. Time for celebrating.  The time has arrived for us to lift up our hearts made clean in our Advent preparation. The time has arrived to be joyful in song, exultant in praise and jubilant in gratitude and thanksgiving. This is the reason why we are so merry.  Why our happy hearts and voices sing out and chant “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”  God is proclaiming his saving plan.  He is sharing with us the gift of our salvation. “For a child is born to us, a son is given us.”  He comes bearing great gifts of great importance and joy.  He brings the joyful anticipation of a long awaited promise; the deliverance of a hope prayed for by so many, so long ago. A hope that we are not alone, never abandoned, always cared for and forever provided for. A hope that never disappoints. This child brings peace.  Not a peace of this world but a peace that is internal and eternal.  A peace that assures us and reassures us that God has come to heal our broken hearts and to provide the grace and strength we need to forgive ourselves and to forgive others.  This child comes to reconcile us to ourselves, to the Father and with one another.  This child brings joy, so much joy, Christmas joy.  He shares happiness. He breathes joy. He makes Christmas merry. He makes our lives happy.  This child brings the greatest gift, the greatest joy, the greatest news.  God loves us.  He has always loved us.  He will never stop loving us.  His love has been poured in our hearts and now nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Wow! That is good news of great joy! That is good cause to celebrate with great joy. God loves us! Merry Christmas!