Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Christmas 2024
Jesus Christ, our light and our hope
This year, we are blessed to witness something quite rare and beautiful — a convergence of two sacred observances. Today, Christians around the world celebrate the festival of Christmas, the day when we commemorate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
On this same day, our Jewish brothers and sisters observe the festival of Chanukah, a celebration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple, an enduring symbol of divine providence and resilience.
As we reflect on these two festivals, we realize that they share a profound message of hope, joy, and the power of light to overcome darkness. Both celebrations highlight the miracles of God’s intervention in our world.
In our own celebration of Christmas, we witness the miracle of God’s love made flesh in the birth of Jesus, who is the Light of the World, the beacon of hope for all of humanity. And for our Jewish friends, the miracle of the oil burning in the Temple is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His provision in times of need.
The connection between light and hope is unmistakable. Light dispels darkness, both in the physical and spiritual sense. It enlightens minds, opens hearts, and transforms lives. Light gives clarity, guides us in our journey, and reveals the truth of who we are and who God calls us to be.
Hope, too, dispels the darkness of despair. It is not mere wishful thinking or the longing for something better — it is a confident expectation of what God has promised, grounded in God’s faithfulness.
In our world today, there is much darkness. We see it in the brokenness of relationships, in the rise of hatred, in the suffering of the oppressed, and in the uncertainty that many feel about the future. But in this darkness, the light of Christ shines brightly, offering hope to all who seek it.
Jesus, the Light of the World, entered our world at Christmas to dispel the darkness of sin and death, and to lead us into the light of God’s love. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this great light: “The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:1).
This prophecy is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, whose arrival brought light to a world shrouded in the darkness of sin. He is the light that breaks through the shadow of death, the light that illuminates our path and leads us to salvation.
The Evangelist John reminds us that Jesus is this light: “a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower” (John 1:5). The darkness of sin and death cannot overcome the light that Jesus brought into the world. His light is victorious, and it will never fade. It is a light that brings healing, that brings forgiveness, and that brings new life to all who believe in Him.
The birth of Jesus is not only a moment of joy, but also a moment of forgiveness. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers us the gift of forgiveness, wiping away the sins of the world.
This forgiveness is the source of our hope. It is through the forgiveness won for us by Jesus that we are freed from the darkness of sin and are able to walk in the light of God’s grace and love.
As the Gospel of John tells us: “The Word was made flesh, he lived among us. And we saw his glory, the glory that is his as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus, the Word made flesh, has come to dwell among us, to show us the way to the Father, and to offer us the gift of eternal life.
My sisters and brothers, in this season of Christmas, let us embrace the light and hope that Jesus brings. Can we allow His light to shine in our hearts and dispel the darkness that may cloud our lives. And might we share this light with others, bringing hope and joy to those who are suffering, to those who feel lost, and to those who are searching for meaning in their lives.
As we celebrate Christmas and also stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends in Australia who commemorate Chanukah, let us give thanks for the light that has come into the world, the light that is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
May His light guide us in the coming year, and may we, like the Magi who followed the star, always seek the light of Christ in our lives. May our Saviour Jesus Christ guide us, and may His peace and hope fill our hearts, our families, and our world, now and always. Amen