The Gospel of the Mass of December 24, Christmas Eve

Everything is accomplished

Dominique Lang, journalist at Le Pèlerin and Assumptionist religious.

First, the narrow administration: Joseph, with his family, goes to be registered at his own risk in Bethlehem, the city of his glorious ancestors. Then, life overflows: Mary knows that her time has come, that she must bring her child into the world and that she is invited to take care of him, to accompany him, to prepare him for his own mission.

Between the two there emerge, unexpectedly, angels and poor shepherds, forgotten in the night, but called to be the first witnesses – almost apostles before their time – of a shocking birth. Certainly, we are not yet at the Resurrection, but it is just like: if it is not a question of recognizing a few linens abandoned in an empty tomb, it is the swaddling clothes of an infant which beckon here.

When, much later, the evangelists put into writing the memories, stories and teachings of their Master, Jesus will already have manifested himself in his glory as the Resurrected.

Imagine the emotion of Saint Luke at the moment when he read this surprising story of realism, steeped in tenderness, overwhelming with hope. Imagine his heart burning when he realizes that everything is already there, in this nest of straw.

In this “house of bread” (translation of the word Bethlehem ), the life of Christ is already broken and given for all.