The Eleventh Day of Christmas

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Author Note: readings are taken from the proper of January 4 before Epiphany.

1 John 3:7-10; Psalm 98:1, 7-9; John 1:35-42

The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.
1 John 3:8

Merry Eleventh Day of Christmas!

Growing up as a boy in the 70’s one of the things that was dreaded was to get beaten by a girl- in anything.  Now, of course, that’s ridiculous, but we didn’t know that back then.  So it is with that in mind that I think I have a hint of what it must have been for the Devil to have gotten beat by… a Baby.

Who is the Devil?  He is Lucifer, an angel created by God in great beauty who seems to have held a place of great eminence when he was in heaven.  But pride took hold in his heart and he dared to usurp the place of the most high.  He led a rebellion which saw himself and a third of the angels cast out of heaven.  He became known as Satan, or the Devil, because of his evil, conniving, and deceitful ways.  The fallen angels became known as demons.  They roam restlessly throughout the earth, seeking to destroy all souls.  Their end is the lake of fire in which they will be unspeakably tormented forever.  The Devil is not stupid.  He knows his time is short.  So he is ceaselessly working for the deception and destruction of souls.

Angels are more powerful than humans.  They are also smarter and wiser as they have the advantage of knowledge gained over all of history.  Furthermore, they have the advantage of either having been in heaven or still being there.  They know what awaits.  They, better than any of us, know the greatness of the glory of God.

Even in their fallen state, angels retain this knowledge and power.  It is one of the reasons why they are able to appear as angels of light [2 Corinthians 11:14] even though they are full of darkness.  With all of this in mind we should be aware that we are no match for the Devil… on our own.

This is what makes the picture all the more laughable.  St. Peter pictures the Devil like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour [1 Peter 5:8].  Here he is; so ferocious and mighty.  Yet, he is easily vanquished by an infant.  When our Lord came into the world as a tiny baby the angels sang and the devils trembled.  For here was One who would be their undoing. 

Of course, the Devil did not lay down and die.  He didn’t give up without a fight.  There was the whole slaughter of the innocents and then when our Lord was grown and ready to begin His mission there was the great testing in the desert.  Imagine trying to tempt the Son of God.  It’s like attacking a tank with peashooter.  Nevertheless, he tries and fails!

Ask anyone for the true meaning of Christmas and I’ll bet you won’t hear someone say, “To destroy the works of the Devil”.  But that’s a great part of it.

This is what makes it all the more insidious to over sentimentalize Christmas.  I’m not against all the fun… as long as we leave it at just being fun.  But when it becomes more than that and we want to make Christmas all about the fun, then we’ve missed it.  Then we’ve handed the Devil a victory even though he’s been soundly defeated.  For we cease to give glory to our victorious Lord.

Christ’s victory over the Devil is complete.  We celebrate Christmas best as we remember that and live in the light of this victory.  No longer need we fear that our sins will overcome us, or that we will die and inherit the same hell as the demons.  Jesus gives victory over sin, and death, and hell.  He triumphs over all.  So we can rejoice!

Whatever faces you today, steal some moments in prayer and ponder this wonderful truth.  Christ has destroyed the works of the devil.  I believe it was St. Teresa of Avila who said, “When the Devil reminds you of your past you remind him of his future.”  Well said!  So let us continue to walk in the victory and the glory of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!