Whom they do not recognize

For many, Christmas is over.

Decorations are being discarded and people are focusing on the next things in their lives.

The timeless words of the classic carols are forgotten.

The nativity scene goes back on a shelf.

Little do people seem to recognize the One whose birth is celebrated.

Some even deny the reality that Jesus, the Child born in Bethlehem, is the Messiah: the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father.

We dare not think or live that way, as Saint John reminds us in today’s first reading(1 John 2:22-28):

Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son,
this is the antichrist.

Anyone who denies the Son
does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son
has the Father as well.

Let what you heard from the beginning
remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning
remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son
and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he made us:
eternal life.

I write you these things
about those who would deceive you.

As for you,
the anointing that you received from him
remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.

But his anointing teaches you about everything
and is true and not false;
just as it taught you,
remain in him.

And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears
we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.