My Brothers and Sisters, Friends,
You probably know the chorus to the song, “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.” It connected me to the input of the heavenly host after the birth of Jesus, and how the angel and the heavenly host erupted in praise, giving glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on the earth. (Luke 2:7) My reflection gave me a sense that every time heaven comes down to earth, every time the connection is made, there is praise, glory and fulfilment.
I have been connecting this spectacular outcome of the response of the multitude of the heavenly host to two events of the very recent past, to conjure up a sense of what such a spectacular experience can look like. The Desperadoes in Concert was a recent event of the Cathedral Fundraising Committee. It was a superb exposition of our best selves in discipline, performance and talent, even if unmatched in attendance. Playing together, the musicians rendered different genres of music with competence, confidence and panache. One could easily have felt that heaven had come down on that evening.
So too, the final game of the FIFA World Cup series. An exhilarating exhibition of footballing artistry and the world gave praise and again, an occasion which might summon the multitude of the heavenly host and bring heaven down and shine glory all around. I am sure you can identify many situations like that when people come together for the common good, when there is teamwork and unity of purpose and accomplishment to the glory of God.
Celebrating Christmas is like that, erupting in praise and giving glory to God for joining heaven to earth. Yet there are questions, concerns and challenges. Can the headlines really scream, heading for 600, (referring to the murder rate for the year past, a record number at that) if heaven came down? With all the matters of war, natural disasters, prejudice, racial discrimination, and political strife in the world, will heaven come down? With the issues of economic hardship, crime and violence, child and domestic abuse, delayed justice and the many other issues which cause our people to struggle, can heaven come down?
Yes, heaven came down and our response is needed. Joseph, Mary, the baby, shepherds, angels, cattle, other animals, the king, the governor, the wisemen and many others along the way responded to give life to the salvation event. When God’s orchestra in the way of salvation plays, and the bigger picture of its work emerges, we cannot but be full of joy, hope and new commitment.
Merry Christmas is saying thank you and praise God, for our opportunity to respond, our opportunity to hope again and our opportunity to find peace. It is our invitation to join again the team working for the fine fruit of God’s salvation for all humankind. Commit with new energy, to this great orchestra for the transformation of God’s world.
Christmas blessings to everyone! Praying you joy, hope and peace in all its fullness! Praying also for patience, wisdom and grace in the New Year and beyond! Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace!
+Claude Trinidad and Tobago.