Darkness dispelled by the Son, Bishop says
Editor’s note: Diocese of Wichita Bishop Carl A. Kemme delivered the following homily during the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass that was held at Wichita’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Church throughout the world gathers on this holy night to celebrate the Mass during the night of the Nativity of the Lord, or as we say in the English-speaking world, Christmas. With great joy in our hearts and souls, we come to the scene beautifully displayed for us here in our Cathedral and in all our churches. Like the humble and obedient shepherds did in the Nativity narratives, we come spiritually to Bethlehem and there, like them, we find Mary and Joseph, and Jesus lying in the manger, the place where animals found shelter at night and where they ate their food.
Again, like the shepherds, we too do all of this out of faith, not out of fear, for to us has been given the good news of great joy, that this day, long ago, in the city of David, a savior was born for us who is Christ and Lord. With the angels, we have also lifted our voices in great jubilation: Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Dear friends, throughout the preceding days of Advent, we have lighted the candles of the wreath each week, in anticipation of the coming of the Son of God, the light of the world. The eternal light who is Christ the Lord comes with power to dispel all darkness. Darkness here refers to the world of sin, evil, and death and all the consequences of these realities. In the first reading, we read from the prophet of Isaiah, who said centuries before the birth of Christ, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone.”
This light is Jesus the Christ; he has entered our human experience to begin the plan of God for our salvation. This truth should fill us with wonder, amazement, and awe, for we see in him the love of God made visible. No longer by means of prophets, messengers, or angels, now God himself in his only begotten Son has entered human history to live among us, as one of us in all things but sin, and to show us the way back to paradise, to the eternal life that was lost to us by the Original Sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. This light was at first a small light, that of a little baby, whose birth was largely an insignificant event in a remote and forgotten part of the world, but as time would proceed, the light would grow and increase, so much so that at his saving suffering, death, and resurrection 33 years later, this light would conquer the darkness completely and shatter the rule of sin and eternal death forever.
This is why we are filled with such confidence and hope. Although we must continue to walk among shadows and momentary darkness, as is our fate on this side of the glory that awaits us, our hearts nevertheless are merry. Being merry means something more than mere emotion or sentiment, which comes and goes with time. No, merriment is a disposition of joy, hope, and love. This is what real Christians have offered the passing world since the birth of Christ, and this is something we are called to share in the oftentimes dark, anxious, and lonely times in which we have been chosen to live.
Let these, then, be the real and true Christmas gifts we give each other, not the temporarym – and by comparison paltry – gifts that we tend to give on Christmas, but the more lasting and life changing gifts of joy and peace that are born from the faith we have this night and throughout our lives; all because he, Christ the Lord, is born for us, whom we name as Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
May God bless you all with love and may you and your family enjoy a very merry Christmas!
