Daily Retreat 06/24/09
2009 Jun 24 Wed:NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST S
Vigil:Jer 1:4-10/Ps 70(71):1-2. 3-4a. 5-6ab. 15ab .17/1 Pt 1:8-12/Lk 1:5-17.
Day:Is 49:1-6/Ps 138(139):1b-3. 13-14ab. 14c-15/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66. 80
From today’s readings: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.... Since my mother’s womb, You have been my strength.... Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love Him.... He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God....”
He must increase, but I must decrease
Many recognize that there is no historical evidence to establish that December 25th is the actual birthday of Jesus. This date was actually chosen for theological reasons! The pagan Romans had a popular feast at the beginning of winter to celebrate the birth of the “invincible sun god,” since after the winter solstice, the sunlight gradually increases as darkness decreases and the days start to grow longer again. In fact, many ancient cultures had some kind of festival at the solstice - there seems to be an innate human need to scorn the darkness, the cold, and dreariness with a celebration of hope in the ascendancy of light, warmth, and cheer.
Thus, as Christianity grew and many pagan customs were “baptized” and invested with a Christian significance, since Isaiah had prophesied Christ as the great Light seen by those who dwelt in darkness (Isaiah 9:2), the solstice festival in honor of the “invincible sun god” was appropriately rededicated in honor of the birth of the invincible Son of God, who presents Himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12)!
So, we really do not know the actual day of Jesus’ birth. Since Luke mentions that there were shepherds “keeping watch over their flock by night,” (Luke 2:8), this perhaps suggests a time in spring, when most sheep are born, thereby justifying the presence of more shepherds watching at night. But, as I like to point out, the carol sung by Elvis Presley that asks, “Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas?” has, as the surprising answer, that everyday should be like Christmas, because any day might actually be the historical birthday of Jesus!
Today’s feast of the birth of John the Baptist is derived from Christmas. From Luke’s gospel, we learn that the Lord’s cousin and precursor was six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26 & 1:36), so John the Baptist’s birth is celebrated today, exactly six months before Christmas. Since the daylight decreases at the birth of John but increases at Christmas, the theme of Christ as the world’s light is neatly again alluded to in the Baptist’s humble and joyful confession, “He must increase, but I must decrease!” (John 3:30).
Especially throughout this Year for Priests, consider the ways God will use you to strengthen the holiness of priests - please pray for priests and future priestly vocations every day, and do your part in this Year for Priests!
Vigil:Jer 1:4-10/Ps 70(71):1-2. 3-4a. 5-6ab. 15ab .17/1 Pt 1:8-12/Lk 1:5-17.
Day:Is 49:1-6/Ps 138(139):1b-3. 13-14ab. 14c-15/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66. 80
From today’s readings: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.... Since my mother’s womb, You have been my strength.... Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love Him.... He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God....”
He must increase, but I must decrease
Many recognize that there is no historical evidence to establish that December 25th is the actual birthday of Jesus. This date was actually chosen for theological reasons! The pagan Romans had a popular feast at the beginning of winter to celebrate the birth of the “invincible sun god,” since after the winter solstice, the sunlight gradually increases as darkness decreases and the days start to grow longer again. In fact, many ancient cultures had some kind of festival at the solstice - there seems to be an innate human need to scorn the darkness, the cold, and dreariness with a celebration of hope in the ascendancy of light, warmth, and cheer.
Thus, as Christianity grew and many pagan customs were “baptized” and invested with a Christian significance, since Isaiah had prophesied Christ as the great Light seen by those who dwelt in darkness (Isaiah 9:2), the solstice festival in honor of the “invincible sun god” was appropriately rededicated in honor of the birth of the invincible Son of God, who presents Himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12)!
So, we really do not know the actual day of Jesus’ birth. Since Luke mentions that there were shepherds “keeping watch over their flock by night,” (Luke 2:8), this perhaps suggests a time in spring, when most sheep are born, thereby justifying the presence of more shepherds watching at night. But, as I like to point out, the carol sung by Elvis Presley that asks, “Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas?” has, as the surprising answer, that everyday should be like Christmas, because any day might actually be the historical birthday of Jesus!
Today’s feast of the birth of John the Baptist is derived from Christmas. From Luke’s gospel, we learn that the Lord’s cousin and precursor was six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26 & 1:36), so John the Baptist’s birth is celebrated today, exactly six months before Christmas. Since the daylight decreases at the birth of John but increases at Christmas, the theme of Christ as the world’s light is neatly again alluded to in the Baptist’s humble and joyful confession, “He must increase, but I must decrease!” (John 3:30).
Especially throughout this Year for Priests, consider the ways God will use you to strengthen the holiness of priests - please pray for priests and future priestly vocations every day, and do your part in this Year for Priests!
posted by FrPitstick | 6/21/2009
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