The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas (Mass During the Night), Year C | Dec 25, 2021
Editor’s Note: Each week, we open the archives to share a previously unpublished homily from Fr. Brian for the upcoming Sunday. Whether you are preparing to preach or preparing your heart for Mass, we hope this offers a fresh perspective on the readings. – Jessica
Liturgical Context: [Christmas, Year C] Related Homilies: [2015] • [2018] Scripture: [Link to USCCB Readings]
As an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, I have a profession cross.
An outward symbol of a choice I made years ago to join this religious family.
But the thing I will always remember about this cross is that I am not its original owner.
The cross was 1st worn by Fr. Angelo Maraldo, an Oblate who died of cancer the year I entered the order.
And every day when I slip it around my neck, I am reminded of the fact that I belong to something greater than myself.
That the story of the Oblates started long before I did. And that one day, God willing, it will persist after I am gone.
But the truth is, this story that I am a part of is no fairytale. And the Oblates I share it with are not perfect.
These men built and opened and ran and led. School, parishes, missions, nonprofits.
They’ve closed and left. They’ve failed and been expelled.
They’ve dealt with alcoholism and mental health disorders, depression and grief.
They’ve aged gracefully and they’ve died young. They’ve worked way too many hours. They’ve delighted in the present moment. And they’ve been worried about the future.
They’re gentle. And rough around the edges. They are gifted preachers. Dear friends. Somewhat cantankerous. And just a little crazy.
And yet, every day, when I put on that cross. I am reminded that Christ chooses to enter into our story as Oblates. To be born among us and within us.
By the words we say, the work we do, the lives we lead.
A truth that I am reminded of every Christmas.
For when we hear that Gospel, we are reminded that Jesus too enters into a story.
A story that spanned generations before him.
A story that included quite a motley crew of characters.
Matriarchs and prophets. Kings and shepherds. Murderers and adulterers
Revolutionaries and cowards. Prostitutes and Refugees. Heroes and villains
His story was not perfect. And neither were the people who comprised it.
And I’m sure in an idealized world, quite a few of these names would not have made the list.
But that is the true beauty of the incarnation. That Emmanuel chose to be one with us as we are. Not as we may want to be. Not with just those we assume God would want to spend time with. Not waiting for us to collectively get our lives together before showing up.
And upon his arrival, he got to work, writing the next chapter of the story. A chapter that has continued down to our present moment.
The chapter that would ultimately embrace all of us.
Friends, each of you also arrives at this moment with your own story. A story that is filled with its own cast of characters.
Family. Those sitting beside us. Those who formed and shaped us. Those who are far away. Those who are estranged. Those who drive us crazy. Those who hold us together.
Friends. Those we met in preschool and high school. And college. Those we work with and live beside. Those who make us laugh. Those who push us to be better. Those we shake our heads at every time we check their social media feed. Those who watch our kids, stand beside us on our wedding days. Those who broke our trust and those who faded away.
Colleagues. Neighbors. Parishioners. The Barista at Starbucks. The migrant worker who washes the dishes in the back of your favorite restaurant. The refugee who has been resettled in your town. The young activist protesting. The homeless man panhandling at the intersection. The nurse getting off shift late at night. The nursing home resident spending another holiday alone.
Each and everyone part of the story that Christ enters into, today and every day.
So whatever chapter your life feels like it is in at this moment, Christ is with you.
Writing with you by the words you say, the actions you take, the lives you live.
So Merry Christmas my dear friends. May we write together into the new year together.
May God be Praised.
Video recordings of the Sunday evening Mass, where Fr. Brian regularly preaches, are available on Facebook at Delaware Koinonia. The archive of all of Fr. Brian’s homilies can be found here: Salesian Sermons
IMAGE ATTRIBUTION: Wesley, Frank, 1923-2002. Australian Christmas, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59229 [retrieved January 3, 2025]. Original source: Estate of Frank Wesley, http://www.frankwesleyart.com/main_page.htm.
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