“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw
 his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” Jn 1:14.
Today, is the Universal Feast of the birth of Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the world. In the Gospel, St. John using high Christology, said of the new born child: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn 1:1) The birth of our Lord redeemer on this joyful day is full of many visible and beautiful symbols. We can see many here in our Church and we all have some in our homes and offices or work places. We can see the symbol of the manger where with Mary and Joseph, the new born child lays peacefully; reminding us that he is the prince of peace. We have the symbol of light reminding and teaching us that Christ the new born child is the light of the world who has come to dispel and cast away the darkness of evil, hatred, wickedness.
He has come to take away the darkness of injustice, exploitation and sin and to fill our hearts with his heavenly light, righteousness, obedience, justice and above all the eternal love of God the father of our new born child and King of the world. Prophet Isaiah said in our first reading, “…announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, ...For the Lord comforts his people.” (Is 52:7-10) Indeed, the birth of Christ is above all the celebration of the love of God. John puts it very well when he said, “For God so loved the world that he gave/sent his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him … might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). God proved his love for us through the gift of his only Son conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of Mary today. When you go before the Manger and you see the new born child, you will see the visible revelation of the love of God for you’re your family and our world. The birth of Christ, the fullness of the love of God has filled the world with joy. Today, there is joy all over the world. The Angel said, “Do not be afraid, look I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people” Lk 2:10-12. Today a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Beloved in Christ, the joy of the new born child, is a joy that brings healings from every form of hatred. This divine joy brings reconciliation among people, families, communities and nations.
The new born child is the prince of divine peace. As we look at the manger, we can see the serenity and peace of the new born child. The angels praised God saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth. Peace for those he favors. Jesus the new born child, the prince of peace has come to transform/purify our hearts, homes and world from every form of conflict, division. There is so much conflict and hatred in our society and world. It is hoped that the eternal power and peace of Christ will penetrate the hearts and minds of all of us, people everywhere, leaders of nations so that humanity may rediscover God’s gifts of love, joy, unity, peace and light. 
Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you all to welcome and open your hearts to our new child, the light of the world. May he fill and empower us to go out to the world to share his love, peace, joy and light to all members of our families, all people we meet and our world in desperate need of peace, unity and reconciliation. 
The Nativity of the LORD is particularly special for us by virtue of the fact that our Parish bears the Name, Church of the Nativity. It should rightly have an added value and significance for us. Today the Savior is born. He truly wants to be born anew in every heart that he may fill every heart with his grace, divine and new life, joy, love, light, hope and justice.