Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
One special evening in a small town, everybody was very busy. There were lots and lots of people traveling towards that town. Families were busy receiving relatives and friends and finding accommodations. The houses were full, there were no rooms in the inns, and people were everywhere. Everyone was trying to find a comfortable place to lay their heads that night. A poor family couldn’t find a place to stay in town, so they had to rest in a cave in the countryside. On the other side of the hill, shepherds were “keeping the night watch over their flock” Luke 2:8. Angel said to them, “…For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord” Luke 2:10. The multitude of the heavenly host with angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:14. When the shepherd came Mary and Joseph with the Newborn Baby in the cave. Animals were their company. Magi followed the star and came from the far East. The rest of the world was busy, and they missed the Newborn Baby – “Emmanuel” – God is with us.
Can he find room in our hearts this Christmas? Let us give special attention to the scripture reading at the Christmas Mass and meditate on it to welcome and adore the Newborn King. First, let us look at the first readings from the book of Isaiah. For Christmas Eve and Dawn, the readings are from Isaiah 62. Isaiah uses imagery to describe the conversion of Israel from gloom to joy. The prophet tells them their God is a saving God who extends his redemption to the Holy City. The incarnation represents the marriage of divine and human nature. This passage expresses the joy of the bridal people of God at the arrival of Christ, our Bridegroom.
For midnight Mass, the reading is from the book of Isaiah (9:1-6), where the prophet says that people who walk in the darkness, oppressed by Assyria, eventually will see the light and restoration of Israel. Prophets brought hope to the people of the Israelites. The Gospel of Matthew 4:12-23 records the fulfillment of the prophecy as Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, the tribal territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, the territory destroyed by Assyria. They were the first people to witness the spiritual restoration of Israel through Jesus Christ. For the Mass during the day, Isaiah (52:7-10) proclaims the good news of the coming of the Lord. The prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, King of Kings, who will come to Jerusalem for the restoration. And that truly is good news.
We have the Gospel readings from Matthew, Luke, and John for Christmas. On Christmas Eve Mass, we read the genealogy of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel summarizes and tells us that Joseph is from the family of David, and Jesus is from the stump of Jesse. Jesus was born into a royal family. Joseph was a carpenter, but he belonged to the Davidic royal family. The Gospel of Luke is read for midnight and at dawn, which emphasizes the role of Mary, how she listens to the message from the angel, obeys, and shares that joy with her cousin Elizabeth. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the birthplace of David, Mary gave birth to Jesus. We have the Gospel of John for the Mass of the day. John says the Word was with God, that the Word was God, and that he was the eternal Word of the Father. John says Jesus is the Eternal Word through whom everything was created, and in the fullness of time, the Word made flesh.
A child was born in Bethlehem – a house of bread – laid in a manger – where animals were fed – during his public ministry he fed thousands of people who were hungry – taught us, “I am the living bread” – many were forgiven, healed, liberated, raised the dead – instituted Eucharist and told the disciples about the Sacrifice on the Cross, Resurrection, Ascension and promised Holy Spirit and told them, he will come back again. He is with us always; at the last supper, he said to his disciples, “Do this in memory of Me.” He continues to feed us at the Eucharist and heal, liberate, forgive, and send us out to share with others. He was born in the manger to give us the bread of life.
This Christmas again, God is looking for hearts to be born. Let us invite him into our hearts, homes, and every aspect of our lives. Listen to Him…! Don’t miss Him! I pray that each of us finds Him this Christmas and watches his smile, listens to his whispering, and experiences his love, forgiveness, and healing. Christmas is not just on December 25th; it should happen every day of our lives.
Thank you! I want to express gratitude to everyone who made our Christmas celebration beautiful: donors of poinsettias, trees, wreaths, ornaments, decorators, music, and all other ministers. I would also like to thank all of you who sent cards and gifts, brought goodies, and so on. I really appreciate it. Thank you, everyone, and I will keep you all in my prayers. Please keep me in your prayers.