The birth of Jesus is depicted in a stained-glass window at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, N.J. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Bishop Larry Silva: Christmas 2023
Nativity sets portray the great event of the birth of the Lord Jesus, the great gift of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Although the birth of Jesus took place in a particular historical time and place, and although we know he and his family were Jews, Nativity sets often portray them with local faces and local features. There are portrayals of Baby Jesus and his family with African, Asian, Latino, Caucasian, or Pacific Island features. This is because the Body of Christ, the Church Jesus formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, is a diverse Body, encompassing all peoples and nations. Yet at the same time it is one Body, not many. This reality serves us well to remember that it is God’s intention that all of us, as diverse as we have been made by God, are meant to live as one family, united in love. We, as the Body of Christ, have the privilege of witnessing to the real peace that can come when we celebrate our diversity but live out our unity.
We often have a tendency to think that everyone should look like we do and see as we do. This leads to many problems, because we often demonize those who are different from us. Thus, there is enmity between Russians and Ukrainians, between Israelis and Palestinians, between Democrats and Republicans, between liberals and conservatives. These enmities often go beyond real offenses committed against one another and deepen the divisions among us. Yet Jesus has come as the Savior of all, as the Lord who wishes to unite us all in a holy communion with God and with each other. It is not mere sentimentalism to proclaim that an innocent Baby, who knew nothing yet of war, hatred and conflict, could be the Prince of Peace, the one in whom we put our faith that one day there will be “Peace on earth, good will for all peoples.” As we celebrate Christmas, recognizing the various ways in which we portray the Baby Jesus, we celebrate his vision that all will be one in him. With this vision, we can truly be instruments of peace.
May the Lord Jesus, whose birth we celebrate, fill you with a longing for unity among all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. May Jesus thus reign over the whole world as Mighty God and Prince of Peace!