Homily by Most Rev Bishop Philip Boyce

Midnight Mass 2005  

“The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light” (Is 9:1)  

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:  as we celebrate Midnight Mass of the Nativity of the Lord, our hearts are flooded with that ‘great light’ that lit up the darkness of our lives.  The world lay in the darkness of sin.  It was ignorant of its God who was invisible to all human eyes.  

Darkness covered the earth, but Christ, the Son of God, came to enlighten our darkness.  The sad fact is that many did not accept him.  They preferred to stay in the dark valleys of their own selfish ways.  With a heavy heart, St John the Evangelist writes:  “No one has ever seen God.  The only Son has made him known.  He, the true light, was in the world, yet the world knew him not.  He came into his own, and his own received him not” (cf. Jn 1:9-18).  

Is it possible that the sun should shine in the heavens and that we would not notice its light?  Could a meteor or falling star cross the nightly skies and not be spotted?  Above all, would the very Son of God, the true light of the world, be born in Bethlehem of Judea, and people still continue their money making and their feasting and not be touched by the message of light and truth and salvation He brought from heaven?  

The lights that flicker in our streets and shops at Christmas are surely meant to do more than make us buy more presents and spend more money. Christmas is meant to be the joyful celebration of the coming of our salvation, the entrance of God himself into human history.  

The great St Augustine said it with these words:  “Let us celebrate the holy day on which the great eternal day came from the great eternal day into this so short and temporal day of ours.”  

What greater grace could have dawned upon us from on high than that the very Son of God should become (as loved to call himself) the “Son of Man”, so that we in turn might become sons of God?  Because He became a child, we can become children of God.  

Our faith assures us that all of this is true.  It is not simply part of folklore.  It is not a sentimental fairytale.  God has become visible in his only Son, born of the Virgin Mary.  He is the Saviour we all long for.  To those who have time for Him, to those who believe in Him, He brings life from death, hope in despair, light in the midst of darkness.  

The sad fact is that many have not understood; many have not accepted the light.  As Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedict of the Cross), the Jewish convert, philosopher, Carmelite nun and martyr, said:  “The star of Bethlehem remains a star in the dark even today”.  She, more than many, experienced the sinister contrast between the dark night of sin and evil in this world and the light of holiness and goodness that came down from heaven.  

We too in the experience of our own lives may well have experienced the invasion of darkness in the trends and customs of modern life.  Yet, we should never abandon the firm anchor of our faith which gives light and serenity at all times.  

The Child in the Crib could not be an image of any greater weakness and helplessness.  Yet this Child has overcome the world.  His tiny strong arms are stretched out in a gesture of welcome which seems to be a silent invitation to come to Him and share in his light and life.  Later on, as a grown man, He will formulate in words this invitation:  “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28 -30).  

Those who were not too busy with other affairs of their own came to Bethlehem , and their lives were changed.  Light flooded their minds.  Mary and Joseph remained in silent adoration, pondering the words spoken about their Child.  The shepherds came and found the promised Saviour, returning with praise on their lips and in their hearts.  The three wise men came, laid down their crowns and offered their best gifts.   

And we have come with our parish community to welcome the Lord, born for us as a Saviour.  We offer Him the best gift we have – the love and fidelity of our heart.  We make time and space for Him in our daily lives.  We open the door to let his light brighten our days and direct our steps.  

We thank God for the light of our faith.  Everyone who bears his light within himself understands the mystery of this holy Night of Christmas.  Without our faith, it all remains in darkness.  May these days of festivities, celebrated with solemnity in the liturgy of the Church, increase the light and power of our faith and keep us always faithful to the Child who is born for us, the Son given to us as a Saviour.  

In the Light that shines from heaven upon us, I wish all of you a happy and peaceful Christmas.  May his presence turn anxiety into peace; may it bless and protect your children and families, bringing you the joy and grace of this holy season.  Beannachtai na féile agus Nollaig mhaíth, fadi  shéan agus faos mhaisce.