The Nativity Of Our Lord — A Strong, Gentle Truth

Read Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Eve (Year A) Luke’s literary masterpiece is “the Christmas Gospel”; even secular minds and hearts far from God are moved by its message. The imagery of families gathering the candlelight and carols all reach into lives troubled with pain and despair and offer the incredible promise of hope to people who may show up only once a year. How can this promise be trusted in a world that is lonely and unforgiving? Herod’s murderous response in Matthew’s Gospel to Jesus’ birth may be more believable to a contemporary society hardened by harsh political realities. Still, the wonder of the Christmas Gospel is not mere sentiment. The question is: how can the strong, gentle truth be told?