25 December 2021
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass during the Night
“God is in control.” Nice words, but what do they mean in comparison to the control exhibited by the powers of this world? We see worldly power exercised by Caesar Augustus at the start of the gospel, when he decreed “that the whole world should be enrolled” in a Roman census (Lk. 2:1). Augustus, emperor who presided over the Pax Romana, wishes to remind those who are subject to his peace that he is in control, and to exert further control by having an accurate count of all in the empire. This was no small undertaking, and the inconvenience would have been felt by the whole world.
The gospel begins with an assertion of worldly power by Augustus, but it ends with a revelation of divine power. The census called by Augustus brings Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, in fulfillment of the ancient prophecy (cf. Micah 6:2). A lowly city, “the city of David,” (Lk. 2:4), is the place of Christ’s birth, just as God willed. Then, the angels invite the lowly shepherd to behold what God has done, and declare God’s glory (cf. Lk. 2:14). Cesar Augustus attempted to show the world that he was in charge, but in the end his show played into the saving plans of God.
When we declare that God is in control, when we proclaim Jesus as “Lord of History,” we mean this in a very concrete and real way. No earthly power can thwart God’s will, and any attempt to assert human control will ultimately be played into God’s plan of salvation. The events in this world that happen do so for the sake of our salvation. Even the great Roman Empire is subject to God’s providence. On Christmas night we see God enter into human history in a palpable way. Because of this we can be sure: no earthly power, and nothing in history, can thwart God’s plan for your salvation.