First reading: Is. 60:1–6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Second reading: Eph. 3:2–3a,5–6

Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Mt. 2:1–12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

In other words

by Fr. Patricio de los Reyes, SVD (Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)

As I was preparing for my journey to Botswana, Southern Africa in 1983, somebody told me that, as a missionary, I go to Africa or any other mission place, not to bring God there but to find God already there. This I testify is true because as I immersed myself deeper into Botswana culture and spiritual life, I did not have to make so much effort to make them believe in God because they already did. I found God already in the life of every Motswana. They already believe that God is everywhere and is over all. They believe that the Spirit of God dwells in the mountains, in the trees, forests, rocks, and rivers. What I needed to do was to make their faith Christian, meaning, that they come believe in the God Jesus Christ came to reveal to the world.

Jesus was already there wrapped in swaddling clothes—as some malnourished children were. I saw Jesus in the hungry people in the remote villages. I saw Jesus in the discriminated bush people. I saw Jesus in those who suffered because of the unending lack of rain. I saw Jesus lying sick and dying because of AIDS and other illnesses. I saw Jesus in women and children who were abused and neglected because of cultural bias. I saw Jesus among the street kids and orphans. Yes, I found Jesus already walking among the Botswana people. What I needed to do was to make them aware of the presence of the Savior Jesus Christ. It was not difficult to do so because they believed that God dwelt among them (Emmanuel).

As I celebrate Christmas today, I challenged myself to become more sensitive to the God who is present in every person even in those who are still unbelieving. I challenged myself to see Jesus in every disenfranchised and neglected people. I have asked the Lord to disturb me so that I may be attuned to hearing God’s voice and sincerely follow my conscience. I challenged myself to pray more for people I see as malicious and with evil intentions like King Herod. I challenged myself to offer to God the best I can offer. And I must continue searching for Jesus in my sisters and brothers so that I may deepen my faith, trust and hope in God.