25 December 2017
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
The Gospel for Midnight Mass has a glorious opening: “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled” (Lk. 2:1). This is an ambitious project, set in motion by the architect of the Pax Romana, no less. Augustus ruled one of the greatest empires in history, and he wanted it assessed. This desire is what sets our plot in motion. This is why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, why they needed to find an inn, why Jesus was born in a manger.
Caesar Augustus set things in motion, but neither he nor anyone else in the Imperial government was the first to experience the fruits of the Nativity. That honor went to the shepherds. They were ritually unclean because of their work with sheep, and were not even allowed to be witnesses in a court of law. But they were allowed to witness the greatest event in human history. The outcasts of human society shared a moment of joy with the whole of angelic society, and saw God come to be with us.
Like Caesar Augustus, God wishes to enroll the whole world. God wishes for all to be united under His Son. And, like Augustus, God wishes to bring about a new reign of universal peace. But this reign will not start in an imperial palace and then trickle down to the masses. It began in a hovel, and is shared with the lowest. Only then does it well up to wise men and kings. The first fruits, and the freshest fruits, of God’s kingdom are experienced by the least. If we want to experience these fruits of Christmas, we know where we likewise must be.