What words or phrases come to mind when you think of Christmas? Is it the trees, decorations, gifts, music, or Santa? Or maybe it’s family, a baby in a manger. There are two words that came to me as I reflected on our readings. The first is mission.

If you watch any TV show or movie where someone needs to be freed from their captors, there is the good guy who is going to rescue them. The good guy does not just run in, he must plan the mission. He studies the blueprints of the building where the people are held. He finds out who is holding the people hostage and the reason why. He figures out how to sneak in without being noticed so he can get close to the people to be freed. His mission has a purpose.

So it is with God. He sent his Son Jesus on a mission. A rescue mission. A mission centered on love. In today’s Gospel, we hear more about the beginning part of the plan. Jesus’ mission was not to save his people from the Romans, or poverty, or slavery as most people in those times were hoping.  

Jesus’ mission is to save them, and all of us from our number one problem: sin, our separation from God. He comes into this world in human form and as a baby, hiding from the evil one in plain sight with the people He is to save, patiently waiting for the next part of the mission to begin.    

The rescue mission in the movie has supporting characters. One group is the people assisting the main character. They usually have some special skills needed for the mission. The second group of people are the ones who have been captured. They all have a role in the mission.  

There are three supporting characters in the Gospel assisting Jesus. Mary, Joseph, and the angel. We know Mary already accepted her part of the mission, to be the mother of God. Joseph’s part was to be the protector of Mary and Jesus. The angel was God’s messenger, telling Joseph what his part of the plan is. Upon hearing the message, Joseph accepted his part in the mission.

Although Jesus, because he is God, could have completed the mission by himself, he chose to include others to show us we can’t rescue ourselves. We need Jesus to rescue us. 

You may have guessed it; we have a role in this mission. We are not bystanders. We are the ones who are captured, in need of rescue. In the movie, you never see any of the people being rescued want to stay behind, saying, “I will stay here”. But in Jesus’ mission, we are given free will to stay or be rescued. 

His love is so great for us that he wants us to love him freely. Our part of the mission is to say yes, just like Mary and Joseph. Yes, to accepting Jesus into our lives with His amazing love and grace that He constantly offers us. And yes, to turn away from those things that keep us separated from God and turn back to Him. We are all given a second part of the mission. Just like those support characters with special skills, God has given each of us a unique combination of skills and a mission that only we can complete. If we don’t, no one else can. 

The second word that came to me is hope. Whenever we see or hold a newborn, we look upon them with joy and hope, not knowing for sure what their life will be like but trusting it will be good. But with the infant Jesus, we know His story. He completes his earthly mission up there on the cross.       

Christmas, as a season of hope, is about trusting in Jesus, our Emmanuel – Our God with us, and His presence in our lives, even in pain or darkness. This hope is a relationship with God, offering comfort and assurance that God is with us now and will remain with us.

Celebrate this Christmas season, placing all you hope in Jesus. Ask Jesus to show you your mission. Remember the first part, which we are all called to do, is to make the Love of God known to everyone we meet. To share the hope and trust we have in Jesus with everyone. The second part of your mission is uniquely created for you. Through prayer, find out what it is, and you will find incredible joy and happiness when you pursue it. It is the same happiness and joy that Mary and Joseph felt when they looked into the face of their newborn child. That child on a mission to save us.