Thursday 25 December 2025. Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10, Ps. 98:1-6, Hebrews 1:1-6, John 1:1-18
“In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Finally, here comes the day we have all been waiting for, the one day that always stands out from all other days in the year: the birthday of Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews states that God spoke to our fathers through the prophets in many and diverse ways, but in these last days, God has spoken to us through a Son.
In other words, by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ, God has spoken to humanity clearly and definitively. As John explains in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus Christ is that Word of God that was with God from the beginning, “and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3), and this Word, Jesus Christ, eventually “became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth…” (John 1:14).
If God spoke by giving us Jesus Christ, the question is: What is the message? What is God trying to tell us by incarnating Himself in our human flesh?
1. By coming as A Baby, God is saying, “I Love You.”
In Jesus, we hear God saying to humanity: “I care deeply about you, and I am willing to do anything for your sake.” St. John expresses this beautifully when he wrote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17).
Christmas is such an incredible love story. God’s way of vocalising “I Love You” was by giving us the greatest gift ever: the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It doesn’t end there; God gave us Jesus Christ to die for us. Could there be any better way of saying: “I Love You”?
2. By coming as A Baby, God is saying: “I Am Real.”
In Jesus, God has revealed His face to mankind. Through the birth of Jesus, we can see the face of God. We understand that God is not merely a figment of imagination but a Father whom we can touch. When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus replied: “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does His works.” (John 14:9-10)
In today’s Gospel passage, St. John says: “No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (John 1:18). At Christmas, God speaks to us, saying: “I am not far away, I am here, I am real and I rule over the world.” This is precisely what the prophet Isaiah conveys in today’s first reading: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7).
3. By coming as A Baby, God says, “I am Gentle, Humble, and Accessible.”
By choosing to come as a baby (not a warrior with an army), by choosing to be born to poor people under humble circumstances (not in a palace of gold), and by making Himself so vulnerable (such that Joseph had to flee at night with the baby Jesus for safety from Herod), I believe God was clearly showing mankind: “Love me, don’t be so frightened about me, I am close to you.”
Jesus emphasises this point better when He says: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest… learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29). At Christmas, God tells us, “Come to me as you would come to a baby; I will not hurt you.” Don’t be scared. Carry this child in your arms and talk to Him.
Let us pray: O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still more wonderfully restored it, grant, we pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Christmas Day - Mass during the Day. Liturgical Colour: White Bible Study: Isaiah 52:7-10, Ps. 98:1-6, Hebrews 1:1-6, John 1:1-18)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu