The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Just 10 days ago, we sang those beloved words, “Adeste Fidelis, Venite Adoremus” Come, Ye Faithful, Come, Let us Adore Him. Well, tonight we fulfill those words. We gather this evening on the feast of the Holy Name, to adore the one who is called Jesus and Lord.At Christmas, we looked to the crib, to the beauty of the crèche, and we were drawn to gaze with love upon the face of the Christ Child. We imagined what it was like for Joseph and Mary to see that face for the first time.
As they gazed upon Christ as he was that first Christmas in Bethlehem, we gaze upon Christ as he is, not just once a year, or once in a lifetime, but how he is every day, mysteriously under the appearance of bread and wine.
It is no coincidence that the word Bethlehem, in Hebrew means, “The House of Bread.” St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta reflects upon the connection between Bethlehem and the Eucharist. “The Holy Eucharist is the continuation of Christ’s incarnation on earth. The mystery of the Eucharist gives us the joy of having Christmas every day. When we come to the Blessed Sacrament we come to Bethlehem, a name which means “house of bread.” Jesus chose to be born in Bethlehem because He would dwell with us forever as the “Living Bread” come down from heaven. When the shepherds and Magi came to adore Him, they brought Him so much joy with their humble visit to Bethlehem that their visit has been praised and retold down through the centuries. God has never stopped honoring them for honoring His Son in Bethlehem. So too, your humble visit to Jesus today in the Blessed Sacrament brings Him so much joy that it will be retold for all eternity and bring the world closer to His promise of peace on earth.”
In Bethlehem, the prophecy of Emmanuel was fulfilled: the prophecy of God-with-us was fulfilled at Bethelehem. So, too the Emmanuel prophecy is fulfilled in the Eucharist. For in the Eucharist God is truly with us. “Bethlehem”, says servant of God Fr. John Hardon, “is wherever there is a Catholic Church or chapel in which Christ is present.”
What an honor, then, for us to visit Bethlehem this evening, to adore Emmanuel, the Christ Child, to gaze on him in love, to ask him to bless us with his peace, to strengthen us in virtue, to nourish our souls with the wheat of his body and the wine of his blood. Bethlehem heralds the Eucharist. May our lives resonate with the peace of Bethlehem today and always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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