A few weeks ago, the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary announced their “Word of the Year” for 2025.  This is an annual event, and a rather serious one as the Oxford English Dictionary is very serious about the English language.  The OED’s 2025 Word of the Year is “rage bait,” a phrase meaning “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive.”   

Most of the population of the world is familiar with rage bait, even if they are not familiar with the phrase.  Rage bait is almost universal, not only online but in radio and television broadcasts, as well. Digital communication technologies were invented to communicate information and entertainment but have become a modern Tower of Babel built by those with an inordinate need for attention. 

In choosing “rage bait” as their Word of the Year, the editors of the OED weren’t supporting the practice of publishing rage bait; rather, they were taking note of a significant trend in the use of language.  All language is communication, and all language intends to elicit a response.  The social trend called “rage bait” is the use of language to foment divisiveness and conflict. 

Some people seek out rage bait, while others are offended by it.  In every case, however, rage bait produces its intended effects – effects that are entirely opposed to the intended effects of God’s Word. 

The Gospel reading for Christmas day says, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son full of grace and truth.” (Jn 1:14)  This short statement communicates quite a lot of information – so much so that everything that follows in the Gospel text intends to explain the meaning of this single statement. 

The eternal self-expression of God, that is, the Word of God, assumed the lowliness of a fully human life in order to communicate to all people the saving favor and divine truth of God’s nature.  In the Incarnation of the Word, God communicates God’s self to the world.  Jesus spoke not only information about God, but God’s own presence through the use of human language. 

Words have great power – the power to strengthen, comfort, console, and the power to discourage, tear down, and isolate.  Sadly, in our time, language is too often used to offend, shame, and separate. 

Surprisingly, I’ve never heard anyone say that they wish to see destruction and conflict.  Even those whose speech is anti-social and immoral say that they favor unity and peace.  Of course, there are those few people who would be happy to see the world destroyed, but they are very few.  As most people agree that peace and harmony are to be preferred to violence and discord, we should ask why rage bait is so popular and how it originates. 

Today’s second reading says that, in the past, God spoke through many prophets but, in this new age, God has spoken definitively and finally through the Son in order to purify the world of sin. (Hb 1:1-3)  Jesus heard God’s proclamation of the plan of salvation and acted on it.  As a consequence, forgiveness of sin is available to all. 

Jesus’ saving actions were the result of hearing God’s saving will.  In a like manner, those who employ rage bait to be offensive are acting on what they’ve heard and taken to heart.  If it wasn’t otherwise obvious, this is a clear warning about what one chooses to hear and contemplate.  Listening to insulting language leads to insulting remarks.  Listening to disgraceful ideas leads to disgraceful acts.  Listening to vicious words leads to vicious behavior. 

A similar dynamic is at work when one listens to the Word of God.  Listening to God’s call to repentance leads to a transformed life.  Attending to God’s will leads to justice and righteousness.  Listening to God’s promise of peace and reconciliation leads to mercy and forgiveness. 

All words are intentional communication, and all words elicit a response.  The Word made flesh calls us out of darkness into light, up from death into life, and away from falsehood to the truth.  If you agree with most people that violence, insults, and discord are to be avoided then, perhaps, your word of the year for 2026 should be the Word of God. 

Here is a word to contemplate as a new year approaches: “to those who did accept God’s Word he gave power to become children of God.” (Jn 1:12)  The infant in the manger whom we revere in this season is a reminder that the words we hear and contemplate shape our lives; hearing God’s Word we are formed anew.