Sunday after Nativity 2012 - Fr. Michael Margitich

This morning, my dear people, I want to speak

on the reasons for this season. Or better to

say, the reasons why you and I are here on this

day. And God said, Let there be lights in the

firmament of the heaven to divide the day from

the night. And let them be for signs and for

seasons and for days and years. From the very

first chapter of the book of the Bible, Genesis,

verse 14. And let them be for signs. And this

morning I want to speak on the term sign. Because

throughout the Old and New Testament, God has

clearly revealed himself as deliverer and father

of his people. Throughout the scriptures there

are specific signs and events that God clearly

used to involve himself in the history of mankind.

There are hundreds of references. But I'll only

use a few in order to emphasize the point. Certainly

the first reference to this sign we find in the

New Testament and we are all familiar with. And

the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds,

this will be a sign. To you. That you will find.

The babe wrapped. In swaddling clothes. Lying

in a manger. This will be a sign for you. And

in the Old Testament. The promises made to the

patriarchs. To the prophets. And to all the righteous.

were simply confirmed by many miraculous instances

and signs. When we read the Old Testament about

Noah and the flood, we also really read that

after the appearance of the rainbow, there was

a rainbow in the sky after the flood. And during

the time of the exodus of the Israelites leaving

Egypt after 400 years, God provided a passage

for the Israelites to the Red Sea. And during

their wanderings for 40 years in the wilderness,

God sent them manna, signs of his presence. And

there were others that were just as uniquely

revelatory in nature. And isn't it interesting

that so many of these Wonderful signs. Events.

And other occurrences. That God made possible.

Were either forgotten. By the people. Or overlooked.

St. Paul tells us. In his first. Chapter to the

Christians. In the epistle referred to as Hebrews.

God spoke. Many times and in many ways. And through

these. Efforts that God has made. There were

signs. For his people. Signs of his love. And

of his presence. And isn't it interesting. How

the people responded to these wonderful expressions

of God's love. They showed a lack of faith. And

some. Even acts of disobedience. I was always

amazed by the passage that when Moses came down

from Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments

from God, what did he see his people doing? They

were worshipping idols. And Moses was so furious

that he threw down the two tablets and broken

them, and had broken them. I suppose it's not

an exaggeration to say that things haven't changed

much, have they? People continue to do the same

things. They are rejecting God's ways and replacing

them with man's ways. And those beautiful decorations,

the magnificent multicolored lights that we see

everywhere, which are incidentally symbols of

Christ's presence, no longer reflect the light

of beauty, but rather the emptiness of celebrations.

There are signs Indicating that they have forgotten

why Christ came. We heard this passage many times

throughout Advent and on Christmas Day. That

in the fullness of time Christ came. God sent

his only begotten son. Bethlehem is the ultimate

and absolute final revelation of God's sign to

the world. He is the true light that enlightens

those that seek Him. He is the one who is full

of grace and truth. And you heard today, In the

epistle. Those mighty words of Paul. God has

visited his people. He has come to earth. So

that we. Can ascend to heaven. To be partakers.

Of divine nature. My people. I speak of this

awesome. historical divine disclosure in these

terms the infinite God the eternal God the holy

immortal and almighty God revealed his bigness

In the smallness of a child. The ultimate condensation.

Of humility. And when that sign was fulfilled.

When it was enfleshed. By the blessed virgin.

The world. And our lives have never. Have never

been. Or have never remained. Or should not have

remained. Like they were. The holy season of

Christmas and Epiphany. Is not only a seasonal

commemoration. There is a recollection. Of the

divine. Christ. The Messiah. Who continues. To

have profound. Impact. On those. Who love him.

I was surprised to read these words of St. John

Chrysostom. These are the words he spoke on Christmas

Day to his parish. Let everyone leave his home

so that we might see the wondrous sign and the

sign our Lord lying in a manger. What is our

excuse if he, Christ the Savior, came down from

heaven for our sakes and we refuse to leave our

home to worship him? That's what back in the

4th century and how relevant it is. I think I've

heard this question dozens of times. What did

you get for Christmas? I think a better question

to ask is, what did you get from Christmas? St.

Luke tells us, That after seeing the sign of

the child. What did the shepherds do? They returned

to their fields glorifying and praising God.

For all that they had seen. Now I wanted to stop

here. Because that was the end. Of my homily.

But I can't. And I'll tell you why. One of my

neighbors said. In all sincerity. Are you going

to have services tomorrow? I said of course.

Why? Well she says it's New Year's Eve. There'll

be a lot of spirits. And I don't think they're

going to be moved to. But the true spirit to

be in church tomorrow. I said that's an unusual

statement to make. Of course they will be. I

want to say that today. On this first day of

the new year. God has given to each of us a sign.

He has blessed us with life. Blessed us with

another opportunity. To follow him. The light

of the world. There are many signs, my dear people,

leading to eternal life. And these signs are

at every crossroad, major crossroad. And as we

look to the future, The road to eternal life

is clearly marked. Follow me. Said Jesus. And

you'll never walk in darkness. Never. But you

will have the light. Amen.