N. 3 of ‘Dei Verbum’ begins with reference to the creation: God, who through the Word creates all things (see John 1:3) and keeps them in existence, gives people an enduring witness to himself in created realities (see Rom. 1:19-20). It progresses from there to speak of how God reveals himself in the Old Testament referring specifically to Abraham and Moses. Then in n.4 it moves on to speak of the revelation through Jesus Christ. This is the text of that paragraph: “Then, after speaking in many and varied ways through the prophets, “now at last in these days God has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). For he sent his Son, Then, after speaking in many and varied ways through the prophets, “now at last in these days God has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). For he sent his Son, the eternal Word, who enlightens all people, so that he might dwell among them and tell them of the innermost being of God (see John 1:1-18). Jesus Christ, therefore, the Word made flesh, was sent as “a man to men.” (3) He “speaks the words of God” (John 3;34), and completes the work of salvation which his Father gave him to do (see John 5:36; John 17:4). To see Jesus is to see his Father (John 14:9). For this reason Jesus perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work of making himself present and manifesting himself: through his words and deeds, his signs and wonders, but especially through his death and glorious resurrection from the dead and final sending of the Spirit of truth. Moreover, he confirmed with divine testimony what revelation proclaimed, that God is with us to free us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to life eternal. The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away and we now await no further new public revelation before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:14 and Tit. 2:13).”
We celebrate that first coming of the Son, the eternal Word, next weekend. God’s Son didn’t arrive in a blaze of glory for the whole world to see immediately. He arrives as the little child born of Mary, guided and protected by Mary and Joseph and who lives among us, humanity, like us in all things but sin. That little child brings hope, love, mercy and forgiveness to our world. It is up to all of us, individually and as Church, to share our faith in him, the person of Jesus Christ and what he brings to us, to all the world in season and out of season. Over two thousand years have passed since the birth of Jesus. Sometimes it may seem as if Jesus Christ is being forgotten. As long as we have people of faith willing to share that faith, any ‘wall’ built to block the reality of the Good News can be knocked down. May the innocent Child Jesus who becomes the innocent one on the Cross inspire us this Christmas time.