Given at Westminster Cathedral at the midday Mass on Christmas Day, 25th December 2024.
‘In the beginning’. These words open the Gospel of St John. He signals that something of great importance is being unfolded in what follows. It is something from before time began. ‘In the beginning’. And, more importantly, it is something that is deeper than any other story or explanation.
‘In the beginning’: here we learn that all life comes from God, now, in this moment. There is nothing deeper than the action of God, giving and sustaining life.
St John explains that the Word, who is God, is spoken and life breaks forth. That is the continuous origin of all things.
Then he goes on to speak of another beginning: ‘And the Word was made flesh’. This is new, a new beginning, for now ‘we see his glory’ and know that it is our purpose and destiny.
Yes, in the image of the Scriptures, we are dust, but dust destined for glory. Everything is falling into place.
The Second Reading told us that this was always the plan of God, that God would come to be one like us, one with us. And this plan had a proper preparation. A fit dwelling place had to be prepared for the ‘Word made flesh’, for Jesus. That dwelling, that tent, that tabernacle was Mary, her very body and soul. She was, from her beginning, wholly open to God. She was without sin. From her the Eternal Word received our flesh and blood.
A second dwelling place was also prepared, but this was very different. It was a stable, a shepherds’ cave, occupied by animals. It was unkempt, rudimentary, broken, the lowest place of all. The coming of Jesus in this place is a clear message. He places himself below us. He comes to a place which is within the reach of everyone. No one need fear, or be embarrassed in approaching him: no great steps to climb, or splendid palace to enter. We just need to bend low and come to him in simplicity of heart. Come to the manger!
But then there is a third dwelling for the Word of God, also prepared from the beginning. The third dwelling is each one of us, every person who has ever entered this world. This is the dwelling which Jesus longs to enter, yearns to share, desires to make his home.
This is the invitation of Christmas: that in all simplicity of heart, we come to him, open ourselves to him, welcome him as our loving Lord. He does not mind the mess which may well be within us. It is no worse than the stable. He does not mind our failures and confusion, our fears and anxieties. He wants to be with us, to console, to comfort, to love each one of us. That is why he comes. That is why we celebrate this great day.
Today, at home, I am surrounded by Christmas cards. They celebrate many things: the love shows in a family photograph; the beauty of winter; the achievements of a young artist; the pride of someone holding a public office; the joy of a party.
All these are worthy of our celebration and joy. All are to be treasured. Yet at their heart, in the beginning, lies the truth that this is all a great gift of God and that God comes to dwell with us. So I especially welcome the cards which show the crib, the shepherds, the angels, the animals, the three kings and, of course, the Holy Family. Here is our true beginning!
My invitation to you today is that you open your hearts to the coming of this Jesus, quietly, deeply, personally. Let him enter for he so much wants to be with each one of us. Make space in your heart and mind for the angels, all those who will sing to you of God’s love, expressed in their love and care for you. Be a messenger of his peace and forgiveness to others, for, as we heard, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news…of peace…of happiness’ (Isaiah 52:7). As we receive the blessing of his presence, let us carry that blessing to others. Let us be heralds of hope in our world today, a hope for which so many yearn, a hope which lies before us in this precious child.
May God bless us all today and I wish you, most sincerely, a happy and joyful Christmas.
Amen.
✠ Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster