The joy of Christmas

Christmas commemorates the great, joyous and unique event of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The Son of God made man was born in time to bring about the Good News of salvation to fallen humanity. In this respect, St John highlights Jesus' mission in a very particular way: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

Obviously, believing implies a decision, stemming from one's responsible response to Jesus' invitation: either accepting Him or rejecting Him completely. For those who wholeheartedly and humbly receive God's gratuitous salvation in Jesus Christ, Christmas becomes a joyous feast in and through Christ. "To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke2:11).

The joy that Christmas brings does not end with the incarnation of God in the history of his people. The same joy that surrounded all those who witnessed the birth of Christ can also be experienced by those who deliberately impaired their relationship with God. Thus, Christmas is a splendid opportunity for a restorative joy. "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7).

The Babe of Bethlehem is the Saviour of everyone, since his mission is that of "sav[ing] his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21). This is also attested to by Pope St Leo the Great in his 21st homily On the Feast of the Nativity. "Our Saviour, dearly-beloved, was born today: let us be glad. For there is no proper place for sadness, when we keep the birthday of the Life, which destroys the fear of mortality and brings to us the joy of promised eternity. No one is kept from sharing in this happiness. There is for all one common measure of joy, because as our Lord the destroyer of sin and death finds none free from charge, so is He come to free us all."

In his Midnight Mass homily of 1999, Pope John Paul II requested all believers to place at the feet of Jesus their joys and fears, their tears and hopes. Why not place at His feet this Christmas the unrepentant sinners?