The overriding theme of the first reading for Mass today, is King David’s love for God, and God’s love for King David. David won God’s heart. A simple shepherd boy somehow touched the very heart of God. His love for God was imperfect. King David committed two very serious sins of murder and adultery in his life and yet, God not only forgave David – He brought forth His very own son from his lineage. God’s son was born from the descendents of a man who had committed two mortal sins.
Why? Yes, David repented of his sins, but repentance alone does not earn someone’s undying love. The reason God chose King David’s lineage for his son’s own birth, is because David loved God with all of his heart, in spite of his sins. Maybe God’s forgiveness of his sins caused the conversion of his heart, and enabled him to love God even more deeply than he did before.
God the Father saw how His forgiveness of King David’s sin, caused David’s love for Him to greatly increase, and their relationship was not only healed, but flourished and remained firm for all time. God said that:
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
God loved mankind so much that He sent His only begotten son into the world for the forgiveness of our sins. He did this, to heal the human race of our own mortal sins and restore mankind’s loving relationship with Him. King David couldn’t even face God after his sins of murder and adultery. He lay face down in sack cloth and ashes and refused to even eat. David couldn’t fix it and make things right again, but God could. God loved David enough to forgive the terrible sins on his soul, that prevented David from having a close relationship with Him again.
The true meaning of Christmas is about love and forgiveness. God loved us before we were ever born and He knew our human tendencies to commit sins. God sent His son to die, in our place, for our sins. Divine justice has to be satisfied, but we are incapable of doing this ourselves.
In the gospel story today, the first thing the angel said when he appeared to Mary was:
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Grace does not enter into a heart that is closed to love. Yes, Mary was born without sin, but she loved God deeply and her heart was filled with grace. Only a deep love for God would have enabled Mary to trust God enough to say, “yes” to a request she didn’t understand. When the angel presented her with God’s request, Mary didn’t hesitate:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born into the world because of pure love. God’s love for mankind, and Mary’s love for God.
This Christmas, may we be as open to the working of the Holy Spirit in our own life, as Mary was to God. Baby Jesus was conceived and born into the world out of love, for the forgiveness of our sins. When we celebrate Christmas with our family and friends this week, it isn’t about the presents, the decorations, the food or the music. We should remember that Christmas is about love and forgiveness. God’s love for us, by sending His son for the forgiveness of our sins, but also – our love for one another and the forgiveness of any traces of sin that lie between us.
May this Christmas set you free from all that holds you back from loving baby Jesus, and your family and friends with a pure and open heart. This is our Christmas joy, a kind of peace and love that the world can not give.
