PARTNERS OF GOD

During this Christmas season, the Incarnation of Jesus reveals that God became man so that man might become God. It is because man is created in the image and likeness of God. But that image is destroyed when man disobeyed God. Yet God did not give up on His people. He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to restore our original integrity and to fulfill the work of new creation. Jesus’ work of new creation requires our collaboration. He wants us to be His partners in creating new heavens and new earth. During the season of Advent, we are given the great figure of Joseph who is a righteous man. He is the great model of obedience, surrendering himself totally to the higher purposes of God, a true partner of God. To be righteous is to focus on doing God’s will, totally at His service. Joseph is a man of deep integrity. His being righteous is rooted not in control but in restraint. He does not expose and retaliate. A righteous person is not a self righteous person because the latter is focused on himself. Joseph is focused on doing what is loving, to work for the well being of Mary and Jesus. He is the great protector of the Holy Family as well as the Church. Joseph received the instruction from God to accept Mary in a dream. This points to another Joseph who is an interpreter of dreams in the Book of Genesis. Dream in Scripture is revelation and intervention of God. It is an inner place where we are not in control. It is deep insight and understanding. It is the source of wisdom which is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is to see the great pattern of things from the standpoint of God. A child is born to us this Christmas. This child is vulnerable, helpless and fragile yet the most extraordinary, visible and unexpected manifestation of God’s strength and love. He is Emmanuel, God is with us. His name is Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. He speaks and acts in the very person of God. We are also called to be Emmanuel in our world today. We are the presence of God among His people. The Church is the physical presence of Christ in our tormented world today. Therefore, this is how Christmas begins. Not with noise but with listening. Not with answers but with trust. Not with control but with presence. And that is enough.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!