CHRISTMAS EVE
ISAIAH 9:1-3 and 5-6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This song of Isaiah is probably a liturgical hymn, proper for the enthronement of a king. A new king ascends the throne of David, and is proclaimed as the Ideal King, light of the people, liberator, Perfect Prince. He is the hope of the people, the presence of God’s Justice. The people know that their destiny depends on the King, the presence of God, capable of leading the people to fulfill the Covenant or of ruining everything and endangering the Promise.
The Church has always seen in this text a perfect announcement of Jesus Christ, the fullness of this hope, the presence of God’s liberation. No historical king of Judah or Israel was like this. Historically, this song was only a dream, a hope. In Jesus, it is a fulfillment, a dream come true. God with us is the Kingdom, the realization of all hopes.
TITUS 2:11-15
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Paul presents Jesus as the end, the culmination of the manifestation of God. Grace has appeared, abundance, the surpassing of mere justice. Someone has appeared in whom we can see God as He is, Savior given to men out of love.
Paul also indicates our response: to renounce a life without religion, a life dedicated only to this life, waiting for the happiness we hope for. This is what will constitute the New People: their signs of identity are to accept the Good News of Jesus and to respond with a life dedicated to good works. Paul is a master of perfect synthesis. There are paragraphs in him where nothing is missing and nothing is superfluous. And this is undoubtedly one of them.
José Enrique Galarreta, S.J.