This morning, my dear people, I want to speak
on the reasons for this season. Or better to
say, the reasons why you and I are here on this
day. And God said, Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heaven to divide the day from
the night. And let them be for signs and for
seasons and for days and years. From the very
first chapter of the book of the Bible, Genesis,
verse 14. And let them be for signs. And this
morning I want to speak on the term sign. Because
throughout the Old and New Testament, God has
clearly revealed himself as deliverer and father
of his people. Throughout the scriptures there
are specific signs and events that God clearly
used to involve himself in the history of mankind.
There are hundreds of references. But I'll only
use a few in order to emphasize the point. Certainly
the first reference to this sign we find in the
New Testament and we are all familiar with. And
the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds,
this will be a sign. To you. That you will find.
The babe wrapped. In swaddling clothes. Lying
in a manger. This will be a sign for you. And
in the Old Testament. The promises made to the
patriarchs. To the prophets. And to all the righteous.
were simply confirmed by many miraculous instances
and signs. When we read the Old Testament about
Noah and the flood, we also really read that
after the appearance of the rainbow, there was
a rainbow in the sky after the flood. And during
the time of the exodus of the Israelites leaving
Egypt after 400 years, God provided a passage
for the Israelites to the Red Sea. And during
their wanderings for 40 years in the wilderness,
God sent them manna, signs of his presence. And
there were others that were just as uniquely
revelatory in nature. And isn't it interesting
that so many of these Wonderful signs. Events.
And other occurrences. That God made possible.
Were either forgotten. By the people. Or overlooked.
St. Paul tells us. In his first. Chapter to the
Christians. In the epistle referred to as Hebrews.
God spoke. Many times and in many ways. And through
these. Efforts that God has made. There were
signs. For his people. Signs of his love. And
of his presence. And isn't it interesting. How
the people responded to these wonderful expressions
of God's love. They showed a lack of faith. And
some. Even acts of disobedience. I was always
amazed by the passage that when Moses came down
from Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments
from God, what did he see his people doing? They
were worshipping idols. And Moses was so furious
that he threw down the two tablets and broken
them, and had broken them. I suppose it's not
an exaggeration to say that things haven't changed
much, have they? People continue to do the same
things. They are rejecting God's ways and replacing
them with man's ways. And those beautiful decorations,
the magnificent multicolored lights that we see
everywhere, which are incidentally symbols of
Christ's presence, no longer reflect the light
of beauty, but rather the emptiness of celebrations.
There are signs Indicating that they have forgotten
why Christ came. We heard this passage many times
throughout Advent and on Christmas Day. That
in the fullness of time Christ came. God sent
his only begotten son. Bethlehem is the ultimate
and absolute final revelation of God's sign to
the world. He is the true light that enlightens
those that seek Him. He is the one who is full
of grace and truth. And you heard today, In the
epistle. Those mighty words of Paul. God has
visited his people. He has come to earth. So
that we. Can ascend to heaven. To be partakers.
Of divine nature. My people. I speak of this
awesome. historical divine disclosure in these
terms the infinite God the eternal God the holy
immortal and almighty God revealed his bigness
In the smallness of a child. The ultimate condensation.
Of humility. And when that sign was fulfilled.
When it was enfleshed. By the blessed virgin.
The world. And our lives have never. Have never
been. Or have never remained. Or should not have
remained. Like they were. The holy season of
Christmas and Epiphany. Is not only a seasonal
commemoration. There is a recollection. Of the
divine. Christ. The Messiah. Who continues. To
have profound. Impact. On those. Who love him.
I was surprised to read these words of St. John
Chrysostom. These are the words he spoke on Christmas
Day to his parish. Let everyone leave his home
so that we might see the wondrous sign and the
sign our Lord lying in a manger. What is our
excuse if he, Christ the Savior, came down from
heaven for our sakes and we refuse to leave our
home to worship him? That's what back in the
4th century and how relevant it is. I think I've
heard this question dozens of times. What did
you get for Christmas? I think a better question
to ask is, what did you get from Christmas? St.
Luke tells us, That after seeing the sign of
the child. What did the shepherds do? They returned
to their fields glorifying and praising God.
For all that they had seen. Now I wanted to stop
here. Because that was the end. Of my homily.
But I can't. And I'll tell you why. One of my
neighbors said. In all sincerity. Are you going
to have services tomorrow? I said of course.
Why? Well she says it's New Year's Eve. There'll
be a lot of spirits. And I don't think they're
going to be moved to. But the true spirit to
be in church tomorrow. I said that's an unusual
statement to make. Of course they will be. I
want to say that today. On this first day of
the new year. God has given to each of us a sign.
He has blessed us with life. Blessed us with
another opportunity. To follow him. The light
of the world. There are many signs, my dear people,
leading to eternal life. And these signs are
at every crossroad, major crossroad. And as we
look to the future, The road to eternal life
is clearly marked. Follow me. Said Jesus. And
you'll never walk in darkness. Never. But you
will have the light. Amen.