As we approach the celebration of the feast and memory of St. John of the Cross (SJC) on December 14, it is a fitting time to delve into the essence of Christmas. St. John of the Cross, a revered saint and mystic, holds a significant place in the history of faith as a Doctor of the Church, a spiritual guide, and a literary luminary alongside Saint Teresa of Jesus. His life and work offer us profound insights into the Mystery of Christmas, a foundational aspect of our faith alongside Easter.
In his Nativity Romance, St. John of the Cross beautifully captures the essence of Christmas: “the time had come for the birth, as the bridegroom who carried her in his arms, whom the gracious Mother placed in his manger… God cried and moaned in the manger.” Through his writings, SJC conveys the deep significance of Christmas as the Incarnation of God in Jesus, who embodies merciful love and solidarity with the suffering and injustice of humanity.
God, in Christ, enters into the world in humble solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed, offering us liberation through compassionate love and justice. This Christocentric perspective, emphasized by SJC, directs us to focus solely on Christ as the embodiment of God’s Word and love.
During this season, as we contemplate the birth of the child-God in humble surroundings, we are reminded of the true nature of God’s love – a love that transcends wealth, power, and status. The poverty of the manger symbolizes God’s choice to identify with the poor and marginalized, offering us salvation through selfless love and solidarity.
Through the humility of Christ’s birth, we are called to embrace a life of fraternal poverty, solidarity, and liberation from the false idols of wealth and power. This transformative love of God, revealed in the Incarnation, sets us free from the chains of sin, injustice, and selfishness.
As we journey through the Christmas season, let us reflect on the profound message of Christ’s birth – a message of love, justice, and liberation for all. May we, like St. John of the Cross, seek to embody the selfless love and compassion of Christ in our lives, bringing light to the darkness and hope to the world.
