“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21.
The day of our salvation has arrived! Christmas has arrived bringing happiness, joy and hope into our lives. In the words of the Prophet Isaiah “The People who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” (Isaiah 9:1). A most sublime and glorious light shines in our hearts and our world today. That light is our newborn King Jesus. Jesus was born in the poverty and humility of a manger. He was born to bring hope and salvation to humanity. Our world pauses to celebrate this glorious day when salvation became flesh and dwelt among us.
There are many names given out of love to the newborn King “Messiah , Emmanuel, Teacher, Savior, God with us, Rabbi, Word of God, Light of the World, Prince of Peace, The Just one, Holy One of God, Lamb of God, Morning Star, Good Shepperd, Jesus of Nazareth, Holy One of Israel, Son of David, Glory of the Lord, Son of the Highest, and this list of names given to our Lord and Savior reflects our understanding that indeed HE is the Son of God.
Jesus taught us by His own life and example that the love of God rests upon all of us who dare to proclaim Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus taught humanity to call God our Father for indeed He is. He taught us mercy and compassion for the outcast, the stranger, the sinner, the lonely and forgotten among us. Jesus came into the world to unite us as one family under the banner of one true faith.
May the blessings of Christmas remain with you now and always. May the light of hope given to us by the birth of our Savior continue to shine brightly in your hearts. On behalf of the friars of the Dominican Province of Saint Martin de Porres, I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas filled with joy, peace and love.