FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE
COMING OF THE SAVIOR
“And
the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us”
(John 1:14a)
December
25, 2008
My
beloved brethren in Christ,
“Do
not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good
news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been
born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk
2:10-11). Thus did the angel of the Lord proclaim
to the shepherds the birth of Jesus.
“And
suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host
with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.’” (Lk 2:13-14).
Heaven burst out in joyful celebration and worship.
Indeed, it was the most momentous moment in all
history, when God came into the world as a human
baby, to usher in the start of the life and work
of the Savior of the world.
Today
we Christians celebrate Christmas. Despite problems
and woes, we manage to be joyful. Despite antagonisms
and conflicts, we manage to wish goodwill to others.
Despite tragedies and injustice, we manage, even
for just a moment, to feel peace within us.
But
what will the new year bring? In a week’s
time, will the peace and joy of Christmas already
be a thing of the past, something that was briefly
enjoyed in the year that has gone?
-
It
does not have to be that way. The angel talked
of not being afraid, of good news, of great joy,
of the universality of the good news.
-
The birth of Jesus is good news. It is the greatest
news ever. A Savior has been born. We will be
redeemed from sin and darkness. Our lives can
be turned totally around, for the better.
-
This great news is for all. For even the vilest
of sinners. Nay, precisely for the vilest of sinners.
No one is to be excluded from the grace and blessing
of God.
-
And so all should rejoice. Salvation, transformation,
renewal, deliverance, grace upon grace, fullness
of life—all these are within reach. And
God desires for all to have them.
-
So we should no longer be afraid. No matter what
our situation in life, no matter how deep in the
pit we are at the moment, we can confidently look
forward to God’s action on our behalf. And
if God is for us, who can be against us? We can
move on with our lives with confidence and trust.
But
after two millennia, why is the world, already lighted
up by the birth of the Savior, still in darkness,
in conflict, and unhappy?
It
is because we have not done our part. What then
must we do? First, we must allow Jesus to be born
in our very own hearts. We must be personally transformed
in Christ, and live out our lives according to the
ways of the Savior. We must grow in holiness.
Second,
we must allow Jesus to be born in our homes. We
must build a family for Christ, and live in a home
inhabited as well by the Holy Spirit. In our home,
all will be formed with truly Christian values.
Finally,
we must work such that Jesus is born in every other
heart as well. We must do the work of evangelization.
We must proclaim Christ to the whole world. Jesus
depends on us! To proclaim this good news, this
salvation in Jesus, this reign of Jesus in our lives,
this coming of peace into the world—this task
is our privilege and our responsibility. When we
do so, the heavenly host will again burst out with
exultant joy. “How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing
peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation,
and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’”
(Is 52:7).
Let
us shout for joy for the Lord restores us, and let
us break out in song for the Lord redeems us (Is
52:8-9). Let us live such that Jesus becomes incarnate
in our lives and makes his dwelling among us. And
let us work such that “all the ends of the
earth will behold the salvation of our God.”
(Is 52:10b).
This
is what Christmas means. That is how Christmas will
remain in people’s hearts and lives, long
after the festive celebrations have ceased.
Have
a blessed Christmas.
Your
brother and servant,
Frank
Padilla
