The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph offers us an example of family life and inspires us to reach out to our own families with the love of the Lord.
Herod’s murder of the baby boys in Bethlehem reveals the senseless violence of our darkened world. This evil, and all the forms it embodies, is overcome by the baby laid in a manger…the Christ who breaks the bonds of sin and death by his victory on the Cross.
The Church celebrates the martyrdom of St. Stephen immediately after Christmas, in no small way to remind us that the child we worship in the manger will grow to offer his life for the salvation of the world. May Stephen’s example inspire us today to live our lives for the Lord.
There are FOUR different options for Mass Readings on the Feast of Christmas! As it depends on the Mass you attend (and the preference of the presider) I will limit my reflection to the Gospel readings.
Vigil Mass – Matthew 1:1-25
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, with fourteen generations between Abraham to David, fourteen generations between David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen generations between the Babylonian exile to Christ.
The passage concludes with the angel’s message in Joseph’s dream to welcome Mary into his home.
Mass at Midnight – Luke 2:1-14
Joseph brings Mary to Bethlehem for the census, and there Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in swaddling clothes in a manger.
The angels proclaim a message of hope to the shepherds nearby, singing “Glory to God in the highest!”
Mass at Dawn – Luke 2:15-20
The shepherds go to Bethlehem and find the baby Jesus in the manger.
The message of the angels is made known to Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds return home praising God.
Mass during the Day – John 1:1-18
The Prologue of John’s Gospel reveals that Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh and came into our world, shining with a light that the darkness can neither understand nor overcome.
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the Son of God.
In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of the Virgin Mary, to save and set us free from the original sin of Adam and Eve. May Mary’s “fiat” inspire us to cooperate with divine grace as we offer our lives for the Lord today.
The call of Andrew, along with Peter, James and John reveals God’s initiative in our lives. As St. Paul reminds us, we are all called and sent by the Lord so that others may hear the Good News.
The words of the Dismas (the “good thief”) in the Gospel of Luke echo in our hearts as we claim Jesus Christ as our King: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”
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