The True Meaning Of Christmas

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

December 24, 2024

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December 22, 2024

Readings: Micah 5:2-4
Hebrews 10: 5-16
Luke 1:39-49

4th Sunday of Advent 2024 Homily – Abp. Hines

Christmas has taken a major role in the lives of all humanity all over the world. It doesn’t matter whether a country is Christian or not, Christmas is still celebrated. With us Christians, it should be that we know of the true meaning of Christmas. It should be such a major event in our lives because of what God has done and yet we look at it so casually. We put so much emphasis in having parties, we make sure to have a Christmas tree, that we have presents for all, that there are Christmas lights. But whose day is it? Isn’t it the birth of Christ?

Today’s Gospel helps us understand to a certain degree. Scriptures tell us that an angel approached Mary, a teen-ager, that she would become the mother of the Lord. This was planned in excellence. Such an awesome event this would be. Zechariah, a priest, whose wife was Elizabeth, has not had any children. One day, while he was praying to God, an angel appeared before him and said, “Elizabeth will bear a son.” Zechariah was skeptical because he knew that his wife was barren. “ How will I know this,” and the angel said, “you will not be able to talk until the event has taken place.” And sure enough, Elizabeth got pregnant. Six months after, Mary, who was herself pregnant came to visit her, perhaps to seek comfort from an older relative because she herself could not totally understand what had happened to her. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy. What is God showing to us here? That babies inside the womb are already sensitive. This also shows us the necessity of preparation. Zechariah was a priest, a righteous person who was sensitive to God’s voice. Mary, who was only 16 years old, was raised properly and was an obedient child to her parents. Mankind may not truly understand Christmas is but creation did. During Mary’s visit. Elizabeth said to Mary, “how is it that the mother of our Lord should visit me?” Similarly in the Jordan River when John baptized Jesus, he said “I’m not even worthy to untie His sandals.”

Christ came not to make people’s lives easy but to make them great. We become great when we are able to handle problems. He has given us strength to face and conquer our problems head on. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Mary knew she was going to face problems in the future. And yet she was obedient to God’s calling. She said, “my soul praises the Lord’s greatness!
My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant. From now on, all people will call me blessed because the Almighty has done great things to me. His name is holy. For those who fear him, his mercy lasts throughout every generation.”

God did not choose a wealthy person to fulfill this responsibility. He chose someone poor and simple, who believed in His Word. He came to those in need. He is our strength, our hope, our life. Christ was born in Bethlehem, a small insignificant place and He was to be born among the common people. In Hebrews it says. “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.” He is preparing a body of believers who would be willing to do His will. He came to give us life. This is what Christmas is all about. Do we know the value of our birth? As we face Christmas, don’t let it be just the party. Let the event be a source of thankfulness from us because Christmas should lift us up and give us hope.