Something to think about at Christmas

In the original “Back to the Future” movie, Doc gives examples of important historic dates to Marty to which the time machine could travel. For the last example he says, “or witness the birth of Christ!” while entering Dec 25 0000. We all will spiritually travel back to that glorious event of the birth of our Savior when we celebrate Christmas. And when we do starting next Sunday evening, we think of the scene there with all the people adoring Jesus in the manger. The whole world celebrates the peace and joy of the Nativity. Inwardly we know and many of us express outwardly that that scene depicts God on earth. God in the flesh! God is born in the baby Jesus.

As you celebrate that world-changing event, think about the Mass in the same way. People in the pews get on their knees during the Eucharistic prayer, thus imitating those at the Nativity doing Jesus homage (Mt 2:11). The reason for this is that Jesus is present in the Eucharist on the altar in the same way He was present in the manger. It’s the same Christ. He is as present in the Eucharist as He was in the manger and on the Cross (see Jn 6:51).

I have used this analogy many times and it’s been fruitful because just about everyone can identify with the Christmas scene of the manger. Those who believe that the baby Jesus is God incarnate (in the flesh) can make an easier leap to believe that the Eucharistic Jesus is God incarnate. Regarding the Eucharist, He says, “this is my body”. We believe Him and reverence His sacred body in the same way that the people at the Nativity did.

Merry Christmas!