The Monthly Note
December 2010
The Celebration of Life
Glory to God in the highest heaven. (LK 2, 14)
by Jacques Lauzier, O.P.
That night, in a Bethlehem grotto, Life was born. Yes, the Creator of Life Himself was born. What an anachronism! How the Creator of Life could be born after those He gave life to. It is the mystery of the Father’s plan. This is how He wanted it. Unheralded! Almost on the sly.
But it wasn’t for long because He decided it would be a celebration…the celebration of Life. And for that He sent «a great throng of the hosts of heaven» to praise before the marvelled shepherds: «Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours! »
Yes, we were the subjects of His favour! We are still the subjects of His favour. « The Word became flesh, he lived among us. » The Life that has created us was born…among us. What an extraordinary wonder! It is almost beyond understanding for our poor little heads. How could God lower Himself that way?
Well, it’s because He loves us; it’s because He loves life and He wants us to love life in return. Unfortunately, the «the father of lies, the assassin from the beginning» hates it. Because he knows that those have life and will keep it will live with the Creator of life and will feast for Eternity. But him, and all those who have followed him, will spend Eternity endlessly grinding their teeth. And that is a very, very, very long time!
In the meantime, we must celebrate Life. Life has to live! Life has to live to the fullest. For that, we have to bear witness to Life and defend it against all attacks so that we may stop killing it. Long live LIFE!
And long live Christmas!