Purpose: To describe the underground manger in Europe during World War II. God once spoke to us through his Son, the Word made Flesh. Salvation has been revealed to all the nations. Jesus gives hope to the human race. The listener can find hope in him, even in the darkest of times. He is encouraged to remember the Person of Jesus every Christmas.
As the year, 1940, wound down, and Christmas approached, the United Kingdom stood defiantly alone against Fascist tyranny. The Nazi blitzkrieg had overrun much of Europe, and thousands of British troops lay dead in France and Belgium. That fall, the Luftwaffe had been narrowly defeated in the Battle of Britain. And while invasion seemed unlikely (it had, in fact, been postponed), it was a possibility. Christmas 1940 was a somber, simple, and solemn one. There was a wartime ban on the pealing of church bells, which could only be rung as a signal for invasion. Food rationing was a fact of everyday life, which meant that Christmas dinner for many would consist of fish and chips, a small piece of pork, soup, or cheese sandwiches, and tea. The Sunday Dispatch wished its readers “Not a merry Christmas, but a happy Christmas—devoted to the service of our country.”
For thousands of families, Christmas literally went underground in December 1940. In the subway, called “The Tube,” Londoners were sheltered from nighttime bombing raids. Children hung their stockings on three-tier bunks, female volunteers distributed sandwiches, and Salvation Army carol singers handed out sweets. Quentin Reynolds, the associate editor for Colliers magazine, observed, “This year, England celebrates Christmas underground. It will be a Christmas of contrasts: holly and barbed wire, guns and tinsel.” Despite the looming threat of invasion, Britons tried to keep their spirits up. There were the traditional pantomimes, which contributed to war funds. One air-raid shelter group staged Cinderella. In it, Cinderella lost her gas mask instead of the glass slipper, and the Wicked Fairy appeared as Nazi dictator, Adolf Hitler. Two days before Christmas, Edward R. Murrow heard carols as he strolled past the entrance to an air-raid shelter. “The singing was steady and firm, and it came from the underground,” he reported to his radio listeners in faraway, neutral America. Signing off his Christmas Eve broadcast, he said, “Merry Christmas is somehow ill-timed and out of place, so I shall just use the current London phrase—so long and good luck.”
Two thousand years ago, the first Christmas took place, not in an air raid shelter, but in a quiet hamlet on the other side of the world, one of the most famous towns on earth: Bethlehem. In a cave outside of town, the Savior was born. Surrounded by animals and angels, the Son of God came into the world as a man. St. John the Apostle puts it this way: “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14). The long-anticipated event had finally arrived.
Christmas is the night that light entered a dark world, grace entered a sinful world, and salvation entered a struggling world.
St. Leo the Great put it well: “In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its Creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which {the devil} had overthrow mankind” (Leo, Sermon, 190).
The external trappings of the first Christmas were crude and simple: a cave for a house, a manger for a crib, animals for company. Christmas is about the gift of a Savior. Christmas is about a God who loved us so much that he became one of us. Christmas is about Jesus. Jesus was born in a cave, not an inn. Jesus came into the world as a tiny Babe, not a conquering hero. Jesus became poor so that we could become rich in grace. Jesus came to change hearts, and hearts need changing.
My brothers and sisters, history is a great teacher. The account of Christmas 1940 in London reminds us what the true meaning of Christmas is. The account of Christmas 1940 in London reminds us that Christmas is not about external trappings like trees and toys, but rather grateful hearts and joyful families who welcome the Messiah.
America, like the United Kingdom in 1940, celebrated Christmas under the clouds of war. Like the United Kingdom, our future was at stake, but you wouldn’t know it looking around these days. Other than pat downs at airports, and pictures of soldiers overseas on occasional nightly newscasts, there are few signs that we remain at war against violent Islamic extremists. We don’t have curfews, roadblocks, blackouts, or rationing. On Black Friday, crowds waited anxiously for hours outside malls and stores like Target and Best Buy, to take advantage of special deals, and discounted items. Our tables are full of delicious delicacies; our homes are stacked with electronic devices, like I-phones, I-pads, laptop computers, and entertainment packages. We are blessed in countless ways. We are at war, but do we have a spirit of sacrifice as a nation at war should? We celebrate Christmas by giving gifts, and attending family gatherings, but do we have the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts and families?
As we enjoy Christmas activities, it is important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus this, and every, Christmas. The Person of Jesus is here and now. He comes to give us life and salvation. He comes to wake us up. He wants to be born again in our minds and hearts. He wants us to be at peace with our neighbor. He wants us to embrace a cross. rather than lounge on a couch.
It is important for us to remember that, for millions of people, Christmas will be more like 1940 England than 2013 America. For the Indian family that goes to bed hungry today, for the nine-year-old Brazilian child who lives on the streets, and the American family out of work and running out of hope, Christmas 2013 will be a somber, simple, and solemn holiday.
These people, as well as our troops fighting overseas, need our encouragement, praise, and support. Christ has come among us. Let’s act like we believe it! Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth, pray for us. Amen.
HOMILY : The Nativity of the Lord – Mass at Dawn By Rev. Ray E. Atwood (Readings: Isa. 62: 11-12 • Ti. 3:4-7 • Lk. 2:15-20)
Purpose: Out of love for us, God took on human flesh, the human condition in every way except sin. Our Savior has appeared on earth. Light dawns for us all. This homily explores the paradox of Christmas: a season of light and darkness, joy and sadness for some. But the message of Christ can transform our lives and our experiences, if we are open to receive it.
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place” (Lk. 2:15). There is a paradox at Christmas time. On the one hand, Christmas is a season of light, love, joy, and peace. We celebrate festive liturgies, light candles, decorate trees, sing carols, rejoice in the company of loved ones, eat cookies, drink eggnog and apple cider, attend parties, and open presents. It is a time of joyful celebration. On the other hand, the traditionally happy holidays are an especially difficult time for those who are grieving, or who are alone. At this joyous time of year, scenes of happy families are not what some are experiencing. People who are alone, people who have experienced the loss of a spouse to death or divorce, or the death of a child, or close friend, find Christmas to be a season of constant despair, rather than perpetual hope. What should be a happy time of year is in fact a depressing time because some are reminded of everything they don’t have in their lives. People suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
What is the answer to the paradox of Christmas? How do we reconcile ourselves to it? The answer to the paradox of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the key to understanding the paradox of Christmas. Jesus holds the key to Christmas joy in his tiny hands.
On the one hand, he is the reason for our love, joy, and peace. Jesus came into our world to free us from the fear of death, to dry our tears, and scatter darkness from our hearts. Everyone has good reason to rejoice because he became one of us “in the wonder of the Incarnation.” On the other hand, Jesus is the solution to the sadness and emptiness in our lives. Jesus came to give us hope and joy. Our hope and joy come from the fact that our Savior came to be with us, and take us with him. Jesus fills our empty hearts with his grace, mercy, and peace.
Jesus is the answer to the paradox of Christmas. He scatters darkness and brings light; he drives out evil and brings in goodness; he destroys death and restores life. One little baby did all that. What a difference one baby can make!
In a Western mining camp, a baby was born. His mother was the only woman in the place, and she died soon after the child’s birth. The miners decided to keep the child, and care for him. The little baby lay in an old box, wrapped in rags, torn from old clothes. One miner rode 80 miles on a mule to Sacramento, California, and bought a complete set of baby clothes, and a beautiful rosewood cradle. The clean cradle stood in stark contrast to the dirty floors, and grimy walls of the mining cabin. The men realized that a baby’s home could be nicer than that. So they scrubbed, papered, and whitewashed the place. On sunny days, they took the infant outdoors for a nap in the fresh air. The men cleaned the house and grounds, and then cleaned themselves. After work, they changed their clothes, washed, and shaved. They even purchased a few mirrors for the place. They made a rule against unnecessary noise. These miners stopped yelling and shouting. They even stopped cursing and swearing. Eventually, this once rough and roaring camp became the most clean, courteous, and kind camp in the entire West—and all because of one baby! We don’t know the baby’s name, or what he grew up to become, but we do know that he changed lives early in his life.
My brothers and sisters, the Baby of Bethlehem shows us the power of God’s love for the world. God gave us the greatest Christmas gift ever when he sent his only-begotten Son “to save us all from Satan’s power,” as the song goes. He is the key to the paradox of Christmas.
This year, I encourage you to follow the example of the shepherds, and go to Bethlehem, the manger of your heart. As you turn on your Christmas lights, turn on the light of Christ in your life. As you play Christmas songs, let songs of praise rise from your lips. As you open your Christmas presents, open your hearts to Jesus our Savior. As you pray with your family before Christmas dinner, remember those less fortunate than yourself, those for whom the holidays are sad, and those who feel there is no hope or joy at this time.
Whether in church or at home, this year enjoy the Christmas trees and the decorations, but do take a few minutes to gaze at the statue of that Baby in a manger. Let him confront you, challenge you, and change you. Thank him for everything he has done for you, and the promises he still has in store for you, promises beyond anything you can possibly imagine.
Jesus is the key to the paradox of Christmas. Jesus is “the reason for the season.” May he be the key to a richer, fuller, happier life for us all. Merry Christmas. Amen.