As I write, we are drawing near to the beautiful feast of Christ’s birth and the end of the calendar year, 2017. Many of you will not read this until after Christmas Day. But, Christmas is more than a day, so I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very blessed Christmas Season.
The season of Advent prepares us to welcome Jesus Christ who comes in history, mystery and glory. What does that mean? Jesus of Nazareth is an historical figure. He is not a myth. During these weeks of Advent leading to Christmas, most of our attention is focused on Jesus’ coming in history. More than 2,000 years ago Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. The accounts of his birth are preserved in the Gospels. The word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Eternal Son of the Father truly became a human being. Jesus’ sojourn and saving mission among us began at a particular time and place. On Dec. 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity, Jesus’ birth in history.