by Msgr. Charles Pope

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

Today's Gospel gives us some background for the Christmas feast that we need to take to heart. It speaks to us of a crisis at Christmas.

We tend to sentimentalize the Christmas story as we think of the baby Jesus in the manger. It is not absolutely wrong to be sentimental, but we must also be prayerfully sober about how difficult that first Christmas was, and about the heroic virtue required of Mary and Joseph in order to cooperate with God in making it come to pass.

Let's look at this Gospel in three stages: distress, direction, and decision.

DISTRESS

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

The marriage is off. When we read that Mary was found to be with child before she and Joseph were together, we need to understand how devastating and dangerous this situation was. Pregnancy prior to marriage brought forth a real crisis for both families involved in Joseph and Mary's marriage plans. Quite simply, it put all plans for the marriage permanently off.

Why is this? We read that Joseph was a "righteous man." To our ears this like saying that he was a "good man." Most of the Fathers of the Church interpreted "righteous" here to refer to Joseph's gracious character and virtue. And we surely suppose all this of him. More recent biblical scholarship includes the idea that it meant Joseph was also an "observer of the Law." He would thus do what the Law prescribed. This explains his decision to divorce Mary because of her apparent lack of virginity prior to the marriage. Here is an example of the Mosaic Law in reference to such a matter:

But if the tokens of virginity were not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has wrought folly in Israel by playing the harlot in her father's house; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you (Deut 22:20-21).

While this seems quite extreme to us, we can also recognize how far we have gone in the other direction in modern times, making light of promiscuity. I doubt that anyone would argue that we should stone such a woman today, and rightly so, but this was the landscape in Joseph's time.

What about stoning? It would seem that Jews of the first century had varying interpretations about whether stoning was required or whether it was simply permitted (cf John 8). As a virtuous and patient man, Joseph looks for and senses some freedom in not "exposing" Mary to the full effects of the Law (stoning). But it does not seem he can find a way that he can take her into his home. Thus, as a "righteous man" (i.e., follower of the Law) he decides that divorce is required even if stoning is not.

This leads us to two important reflections, one about Mary and one about Joseph.

Mary

We can see into what a difficult and dangerous position her yes (her fiat) to the angel placed her. She risked her very life by being found with child outside the normal marital act with her husband. We know that it is by the Holy Spirit she conceives, but her family and Joseph and his family do not yet, or at least cannot verify it. And even if Mary explained exactly how she conceived, do you think you would accept such a story? Mary's fiat placed her in real danger. It is a great testimony to her faith and trust in God that she said yes to His plans.

Joseph

We can also see the kind of pressure he would be under to do what the Law and custom required. There is no mention of Joseph's feelings at this point, but we can assume that when Mary was found to be with child prior to their being together in marriage, the social pressure on him to be legally freed from Mary were strong, regardless of his feeling or plans.

DIRECTION

Such was his intention [to divorce] when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Be not afraid. The principal exhortation of the angel was that Joseph "not be afraid" to take Mary as his wife. This exhortation is powerful because fear was a very big factor. Joseph had much to fear in taking Mary. Some of the Fathers of the Church believed that what the angel meant was that Joseph should not fear God's wrath, since he would not actually be taking an adulterer or fornicator into his home. Others think that the angel meant that Joseph should not fear taking God's chosen instrument (Mary) as his wife.

One can also imagine some other fears that needed to be allayed by the angel. For example, Joseph could easily be rejected by his family for taking Mary in. The community could likewise shun him, and as a businessman, Joseph needed a good reputation to be able to ply his trade. All of these threats loom if Joseph "brings evil" into his house rather than purging the (apparent) evil from the midst of his house. But the angel directs him not to fear; this will take courageous faith.

The angel's explanation is unusual to say the least. What does it mean to conceive by the Holy Spirit? It's not exactly a common occurrence! Would his family buy such an explanation? What about the others in the small town of Nazareth? Yes, people were more spiritual in those days, but it all seems so unusual!

Further, Joseph hears all this in a dream. We all know what dreams can be like. They can seem so real at the time, but when we are fully awake we wonder if what we experienced was real at all. Joseph has to trust that what he was told is real, and that he should not be afraid because God has given him direction. As is often the case with things spiritual, we have to carefully discern and walk by faith, not by fleshly sight and certitude. Joseph has a decision to make.

DECISION

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
We can see the strong faith of Joseph and the kind of trust he had to put in God. He had been told not to be afraid, to rebuke fear. Manfully, Joseph does this. He makes the decision to obey God whatever the cost. We are given no information about how his family and others in the town reacted. However, the fact that the Holy family later settles back in Nazareth indicates that God did come through on His promise that Joseph need not be afraid.

Heroes of Faith! Recognize the crisis of that first Christmas and the powerful faith of Joseph and Mary. Their reputations were on the line, if not their very lives. They had great sacrifices to make in the wondrous incarnation of our Lord. Quite simply, Mary and Joseph are great heroes of the faith. For neither of them was their "yes" easy. It is often hard to obey God rather than men. Praise God that they made their decision and obeyed.

Mary and Joseph's difficulties were not yet over. There was a badly timed census, which required a journey to Bethlehem in the ninth month of Mary's pregnancy. Imagine walking 70 miles through mountainous terrain in such a condition! There may or may not have been a donkey, but I doubt that riding a donkey in the ninth month of pregnancy is all that comfortable either. And then there was no room in the inn; Jesus had to be born in a smelly stable. Shortly thereafter they had to flee through the desert to Egypt because Herod sought to kill Jesus.

Jesus is found in a real Christmas, not a "Hallmark" one. The crisis of the first Christmas prefigures the passion. This where Jesus is found: in the crisis of the first Christmas. You may wish for the perfect Christmas, but there is no perfect Christmas. Jesus will find you where you are, in real life, in the imperfect Christmas, where loved ones have passed away and there is grief, where a job has been lost and there is anxiety, where health is poor and there is stress, where families are experiencing strife. That's where Jesus will be found, in your real Christmas. A Christmas of joy, yes, but also of imperfections, even crises. He is there waiting for you to find Him, in the real Christmas of your life.

This is an old African-American spiritual that reflects on the fact that true discipleship isn't always easy. Joseph and Mary surely experience and exemplify what these words express.

I tol' Jesus it would be all right
If He changed my name

Jesus tol' me I would have to live humble
If He changed mah name

Jesus tol' me that the world would be ‘gainst me
If He changed mah name

But I tol' Jesus it would be all right
If He changed mah name

by Dr. Ravi Zacharias

I have just left the island of Guam. Guam is a beautiful strip of land about 1500 miles south of Japan, thirty miles long and four to twelve miles wide. It is a strategic piece of real estate and is home to a US Air Force Base and a Navy Base. The Marines are soon to arrive as well. With tropical temperatures, we were blessed with some gorgeous days. Having finished two major meetings here, I am now aboard a flight to Tokyo, heading home to Atlanta.

As always, the emotions are fresh after a stop like that. We were taken for a tour of some of the most sophisticated aircraft available for combat today. The lineup in military terms is awesome: fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, rescue planes, and so on. Anchored nearby was a naval vessel.

Guam was attacked by the Japanese forces in December 1941, one day after they attacked Pearl Harbor, and was recaptured by the American troops three years later in a bloody battle. So many stories, so many memories told in stone and museums and pictures. The US military is now trusted with keeping watch over the precarious Pacific Region, equipped to respond with swift power. Sadly, in a world threatened by demagogues and predators, a strong defense becomes necessary…one of life's realities in a fallen world.

The chaplains hosted a lovely lunch, which was also attended by the general. Strangely, the topic of conversation was of a completely different mood. Most of the conversation was on how thrilled they were to be part of Operation Christmas drop that takes place every year and has been done for decades. Over 60,000 pounds of materials are air-dropped over 56 islands, including foods, gifts, school needs, and fishing supplies. The recipients are informed by Ham Radio of the day and time of the drop. These remote islands of Micronesia await this special day every year. The aircraft descends to about 300 feet and each box is pushed over by parachute to arrive in the water within reach of land. The anxious inhabitants wait and watch for it with their children, and the grins of the excited children as the box descends tell the story of childlike wonder. Christmas is truly in the air for them. They use everything they get, even the parachute material, which is cut and used for sails. All of the gifts are paid for by American donors who fund everything including the cost of air-dropping these gifts while volunteer airmen and women do the hard work of packaging and loading them. In fact, one young captain sat next to me and showed the general and me the video she had taken as she helped push the packages over. The general himself, clearly moved, talked of the thrill it brings to all of them to have the opportunity to do this. It is a small thing with big impact. It was hard not to wipe away a tear of joy.

Two different scenarios, the same people at work; ready for war but delighting in peace. This is the human scene with its two great possibilities: peace and joy, war and pain.

This same mix attended the first family at Creation. The choice before Cain, whose action was prompted by jealousy, was ironically over the sacred. Rather than bring a heartfelt offering to God, he chose to murder his brother, Abel. God warned him, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? If not, sin waits at the door. It desires to have you" (Genesis 4:7). Sin is the ultimate stalker. The will is the ultimate battleground.

The same themes in a dramatic way attended the birth of Jesus. This was the most sacred gift. Mary willingly accepted her role as the mother of the Savior of mankind. But she was staggered by the words of Simeon to her: "Woman, a sword will pierce through your own soul, also" (Luke 2:35). She found out what that meant at Calvary where the piercing of her son was a stab to her own soul. Sin always hurts and sinful acts always kill.

The amazing story of Christmas is that He took our worst in order to give us His best so that we might live with joy and spread the smiles and laughter that come from His gift. But peace, which comes to those of goodwill, always comes at a cost.

God's gift to us was air-dropped within our reach two thousand years ago. Angels sang, shepherds were overcome; wise men journeyed far and long to see the miracle. The world longed for and needed the Savior and His offer is still before us: We either choose to live with the fears of warfare or with the joys of his peace by settling the battle that rages within each of us. The arsenal of evil at our disposal is huge. But the message of love is greater. We either receive Him or reject Him. There is no neutrality here. There is no other joy like His. There is no other Savior like Him. There is no other way like His. There is no other day like Christmas.

At Guam, I met a young man from one of these remote islands. When he was a little boy, he watched for the package drop that was given to his people. That was 25 years ago. When he reached adulthood, he signed up to work at the US base in Guam. This Christmas he was one of the volunteers distributing those same packages to the islands where children wait with anticipation to receive them. Joy received and multiplied produces a harvest of hope. Let's make this a joyous Christmas for many.

One of my great thrills at the service on the naval base in the beautiful chapel was to see many respond to the invitation to follow Jesus. What greater privilege than to present Jesus Christ to those who stand guard for our freedom. I am grateful for them. That's why I go at their invitation and at our cost to thank them, to minister to them, and hopefully to be a blessing to them. Theirs is a difficult calling.

The most thrilling moment for me was at the close of the chapel service on the naval base when a woman in her fifties, completely blind, was brought to the front. She reached out with her hand and said, "I just want to touch your face, Sir. I listen to you every day. I am waiting to see your face someday in heaven." She wanted a picture taken. Imagine that! She felt with her soul what she could show others through their eyes. Once again, I fought back the tears.

The emotions swirl. Our anchor is Jesus. We will see Him face to face some day. Christmas was a slice of infinity. Bethlehem means "house of bread." The ultimate glimpse of His face will make the slices of Heaven we experience here seem like crumbs. But in our finitude, it's all we can grasp now. It is like trying to describe Handel's "Messiah" to a child.

Merry Christmas to all of you from all of us at RZIM. Think and revel in what Christmas intends and portends. Thank you for a beautiful year. Thank you for making it possible to minister in such places. Thank you for your support. A blessed 2015 to all of you.

by St. John Chrysostom

BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.

And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb. Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither does His coming amongst us in these days permit of too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten before all time, yet the manner of this generation I have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy speech. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who works.

What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend.

Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see, and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily presence, that He may remove all doubt. Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin, builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed, formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of our nature'. For it was to Him no lowering to put on what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be forever glorified, which became the cloak of its own Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it had first become the garment of its Maker.

What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness.

For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit, that He may save me.

Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been ‘in planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.

Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things arc nourished, may receive an infant's food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

The mysteries of Christmas are many. Among them is the mystery of the music heard that night. The angels shouted the great declaration, "Glory to God in the Highest," and creation takes it up as a song. But why this music? Is it merely window dressing, or does it disclose a mystery to us? Is it merely for us, or do the angels also have need of the declaration?

As always with the things of God, there are realities far deeper than most of us imagine. But tonight's Christmas feast weaves together, among many other mysteries, those of music and descent, and points up to music and ascent.

You see, over my head I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere. And the Lord descends to one song that we might ascend to a new song in a new place: in the highest heavens. Let's see how.

I. Divine Condescension

The text says, Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "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 Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Lk 2:8-12).

We look first to the divine descent of Jesus. Note that Jesus, who is called Savior, the Anointed One, and Lord, is said to be found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a feed box, a trough from which animals are fed.

What sort of King and Lord is this? It is almost a divine comedy. Imagine the shepherds quaking in fear at the presence of an awesome angel. And then the angel tells them that they will find the Christ lying in a feed box, in a stable somewhere nearby. One can almost image one shepherd speaking to another in a sort of whisper, "Did that angel say ‘feeding trough'?" And then the other nervous shepherd whispers back, "Yeah, that's what he said." It is comedic because it is so anti-climactic.

Indeed, there is a remarkable divine condescension here! The Lord did not merely descend from Heaven to earth. He descended to one of the lowest places on the earth, to a stinking cave, among animals, and has for His bed a feeding trough meant for animals.

And though Bethlehem was called the "City of David" it was hardly fit for a King. It was then, and is now, a run-down, dusty, ramshackle, poor town.

So here is the King of the Universe born, not in a stately palace, but in a stinking pen; not in a cozy cradle, but in a messy manger.

Yet God speaks eloquently in this poverty and condescension. Here is the Bread of Life, in a town called Bethlehem (House of Bread), lying in a feed trough. In his littleness and poverty He is approachable and calls to the poor.

But do not miss the radical nature of this descent! So radical was it, that this very thing is said in tradition to be the reason that one-third of the angels rebelled, turning against God and falling to the earth as demons (fallen angels). In both Jewish apocryphal writings as well as the writings of the Fathers of the Church, Lucifer, one of the highest ranking angels and among the seraphim, recoiled at the idea that God would choose to join Himself to His physical creation. Man was a mere mud doll to Lucifer, something and someone so far beneath him as to merit no real attention. The thought of God becoming flesh caused Lucifer to rebel, and he took a third of the angels with him in rebellion against so absurd a plan: God as mud doll, taking on human flesh and being joined to mere material creation. It was unbecoming, beneath the dignity of the spiritual world!

Condescension was unthinkable to Lucifer's pride and he fell, refusing to accept such an absurd notion. Ever since that time, he and the fallen angels with him have envied the human person whom God was pleased to indwell, and by this envy seek to destroy our truest dignity: an indwelling relationship with God.

Why this condescension? He condescends today to one song in order that we may ascend one day with Him to a new place and sing a new song. To what song does He descend and to what song will we ascend? Let's read on.

II. Delighted Choirs

The text says, 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."

The angels who did not fall had rejoiced in God's plan and longed for its day! Thus on this day, as the Lord is manifest to the world, the highest angels who descended with Christ at the Annunciation now send word through and to the lower ranks of angels and a great heavenly throng makes the declaration, Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace! The great hymn that is sung (or more literally, declared) is not just for the human family; according to the Fathers of the Church it is also a signal to the lower ranking angels from the higher ranking angels. All Heaven has revealed to it the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his holy ones (Col 1:26). A mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory (1 Cor 2:7). …The things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:12).

As Christ descends and is now made manifest after nine months, a song goes with Him. Yes, the word goes forth from the higher angels to the lower ones that the mysterious plan is now unfolding! To understand this hierarchical messaging we ought recall some basic facts about the angels:

The Nine Choirs (ranks) of Angels are divided into three tiers, or triads, with specific concerns:

The Highest Tier: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones: Who concern themselves with contemplating the glory of God. It is the six-winged seraphim who sing the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:3).

The Middle Tier: Dominations, Virtues, and Powers: Who are known as the "angels of creation" because they concern themselves with the ordering of the cosmos and the causes of things.

The Lower Tier: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels: Who concern themselves with the minute ordering of the universe and with specific causes, including the welfare of people. Each human being, each church, and each country has a Guardian Angel.

Thus the "Gloria in Excelsis is a declaration of praise not just overheard and taken up by humanity; it is not just a hymn of praise; it is a passing of information down the chain of angelic choirs. The highest choirs of angels have descended with the Word made Flesh, Jesus, since it is their role to surround Him with perpetual adoration.

The Church Father, Origen, has the higher angels say,

"If he has put on mortal flesh, How can we remain, doing nothing!? Come Angels, let us descend from heaven!" That is why [Scripture says] there was a multitude of the heavenly Hosts praising and glorifying God when Christ was born. Everything is filled with angels! (Hom in Ex. 1:7)

And now at Jesus' birth, the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones signal the lower angels: "This is He, who is Lord of all Creation; He who is ever to be adored and glorified." The lower angels take up the information and cry out, "Glory to God in the Highest."

Another Church Father, Pseudo-Dionysius, says of this great heavenly hymn that is declared,

The highest order composed of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, and which is closest of all, by reason of its dignity, to the secret sanctuary of God [instructs] the second order, composed of Dominations, Virtues and Powers. This order in turn reveals the mysteries to the lower tier of angels the Principalities, Archangels and Angels who are set in charge of the human hierarchies (Hier Ceol. 9,2).

And thus the great Gloria in Excelsis Deo resounds in the heavens, not just on the earth. The angels are given the good news along with us! An ancient hymn from the Liturgy of St. James says of this moment,

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the shadows clear away.

At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
"Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord most high!"

And to us on earth comes the call to hear the music, the great hymn of praise and instruction, and respond with our souls!

I have it on the best of authority that as the shepherds heard the great song of the angels, one of them said, Over my head I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere!

All of creation echoed that night with the song of the angels communicating this truth to one another and to us.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back the joyous strains
Gloria!

The animals, too, lifted their eyes heavenward, and one was said to speak,

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea!

But why all this music at the divine descent? Because the music (Gloria in Excelsis) and the descent are related and meant to signal and lead us higher. Christ descends to one song in order to lead us to an even nobler and higher song,

III Destiny of the Christian

The Psalm says, Sing to the LORD a new song, sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name (Ps 96:1-2).

So again, this music (Gloria in Excelsis) and the descent are related and meant to signal and lead us higher. Christ descends to one song, in order to lead us to an even nobler and higher song, a song sung in the highest heavens! And without this descent and this first song, the second song and our ascent are impossible. Christ descends to the song of the lower heavens so that we, by his saving grace, may ascend to the place and song of the higher heavens.

And what is this new song and place? Isaiah heard the music and saw the place:

I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" 6 Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven" (Isaiah 6:1-8).

Here is a our new song, a higher song, one sung only in the highest Heaven before the throne of God, one sung only by the redeemed: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts! At every Mass, our High Priest, Jesus, speaking through His ministerial priest says, Lift up your hearts! We reply that we have them lifted up to the Lord. In other words we are told to come up higher, to come into the Holy of Holies in Heaven, to come before the throne and sing the hymn of the highest in Heaven.

Our ascent to this highest place is made possible only by the Lord's descent to the lowest places here, the manger, the Cross, and Sheol. In the early Church, only the baptized could sing the Sanctus at Mass. The unbaptized were not allowed to attend. The catechumens, though permitted to sing the hymn of the lower heavens (The Gloria), were dismissed prior to the singing of the Sanctus, the song of the higher heavens. Only when we are caught up higher by grace can we hear and join the Sanctus. And one day it will be fully our song when God, who descended, says to us, "Come up higher." And then by Him who descended, we will ascend and sing a new song to the Lord!

By Dr. Ray Pritchard

"None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Let that thought hang in the air for just a moment. "They would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

If they had known . . . If they had understood . . . But they didn't!

This means Pilate didn't know who Jesus was. Yes, he had heard the stories, the wild rumors about healings and miracles and people brought back from the dead. You could hardly keep that private. The news had spread like wildfire. When you read the gospels, Pontius Pilate appears as a kind of tortured soul - a man caught between the demands of his job and a genuine curiosity about Jesus. "What is truth?" he asked. It was not an idle question. He wanted to know the truth. I do not doubt he wanted the crowd to choose Barabbas over Jesus. When he washed his hands with water, he was trying to say, "I did the best I could to save this man, but I couldn't. His blood is now on your hands." It didn't work; it could never have worked.

Pilate stands guilty of a terrible crime - crucifying the Lord of glory. Only he didn't know he was the Lord of glory. Exactly who he thought Jesus was, we cannot say for certain. But this much we know - he didn't know, didn't understand, and so he ordered him crucified.

The world didn't understand Jesus when he walked on the earth, and the world still doesn't understand him today. That fact ought to give us patience when we talk to unbelievers. Sometimes when lost people say foolish and hurtful things, we may be tempted to retaliate with unkind words of our own. That's almost always a bad idea. It's like cursing a blind man because he can't see the color green.

That brings us to our song for today. Most people think of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" as a spiritual written in the 1800s, but Robert MacGimsey composed it in 1934. The haunting lyrics remind us the world misunderstood Jesus when he came as a baby, and for the most part, the world still misunderstands him today.

One line in particular focuses on how wrong the world was: "They made you be born in a manger." There was no room for Jesus 2000 years ago, and sadly, there is no room for him in many hearts today.

Sweet little Jesus Boy,
They made you be born in a manger.
Sweet little Holy Child,
Didn't know who You was.

Didn't know you'd come to save us, Lord;
To take our sins away.
Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see,
We didn't know who You was.

Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior? If so, you know it because God has revealed it to you by his Spirit.

There is no room for boasting, and no need for it either. If you are among those who can see and hear and understand the truth, do not take any credit for it. Get down on your knees and thank God for opening your eyes. Thank God for rescuing you from the pit of despair. Thank God for turning your life around. Thank God for giving you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand his truth.