Salvific Significance of Christmas!

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Lk 1:67-79

Today’s Gospel highlights the salvific action of God in history through Zechariah’s Benedictus. 

The text underlines the names of three persons and their significant roles in the salvific history. 

Covenantal Fidelity of God: Zechariah praises God for fulfilling His promises since the times of old and more particularly in the person of Jesus Christ. The passage recounts God’s fidelity to Abraham’s covenant (a land to call their own for the people of Israel). In the same way, the Davidic Messiah is painted in military images to show that David’s heir will effect salvation from enemies (a king to rule over His people from the house of David). Here, Zechariah’s proclamation helps us understand that in Jesus, God conquers enemies by bringing them peace. 

Forerunner of Jesus: Zechariah also remembers his son as destined to carry out an important ministry as the forerunner of Jesus, the Son of God. He will prepare the way of the Lord both through his prophetic mission and remission of sins. By reminding people of God’s final judgement, he will inspire their repentance and forgiveness through baptism. He will also baptize Jesus before the latter embarks on public ministry. Thus, John’s role as a forerunner of Jesus is filled with salvific significance.

Prince of Peace: Zechariah’s prophecy also holds that Jesus will be a prince of peace. However, the peace that Jesus will achieve is different from what we usually understand by the word. The Peace that Jesus brings will not signify merely the cessation or absence of hostilities. Rather, its focus will be on wholeness, harmony, well-being, prosperity, and security. Here, Jesus’ peace must also be understood with its interconnection with the theme of love of enemies. 

In sum, the birth of Jesus fulfills the promise of God and the ministry of John the Baptist, his forerunner. 

In effect, the words of Zechariah inspire us to embrace the birth of Jesus with all its salvific significance. 

Let us pray that we may celebrate Christmas with what it stands to mean for our salvation. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar