・Mass Readings for Christmas Midnight Mass
Isaiah 9. 1 - 3, 5 - 6 ・Psalm 96. 1+2, 11+12, 9+13 ・ Titus 2.11-14 ・ Luke 2. 1-14
・Mass Reading for Christmas Day (during the day)
Isaiah 52. 7-10・ Psalm 98. 1, 2+3a, 4+5 ・ Hebrews 1. 1-6 ・ John 1. 1-18
Celebrating the Great Light
of the World and of our Hearts
Incarnation which is the central theme of Christmas is the belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, and for all of us it is a reality we are thankful for. We commonly understand that God`s love and mercy is manifested in the Nativity. We are all invited therefore to reflect on the depth of God`s love and on its (Divine love) accessibility to each person, During Christmas, what immediately comes to our mind is the message of the Angels about peace and reconciliation brought about by Christ`s birth. We greet each other a merry Christmas, peace on earth and goodwill towards all. Let us share the gifts of Christmas.
We have Christmas eve and midnight mass liturgy that make us realize that human experience and history tells that Light was necessary for the world. God in Jesus Christ brings Light to the world and to every one`s heart. We continue to realize that `this` Light` remains necessary. The movement of the Holy Spirit is so attractive because each one is inspired and drawn to each other in a closer and more intimate way – the Spirit of Christmas resounds!
There may be issues that remain in our respective homes and in the world that sometimes things in our daily life get a little dark. Let us allow the spirit of Christmas ease the pains and sadness, and let the Light shine. We will see the great wonders brought about by this Light in our daily life.
Jesus` birthplace is presented with seemingly inconvenient atmosphere to stay even just for a night, yet there was a great invitation to visit so to experience the wonder of God`s love. The Nativity scene is simple yet attractive. Indeed, to consider the manger of Jesus always attractive can be a solution to what we all think are our problems in daily life. To find the manger of Jesus already becoming less interesting and less attractive can be a sign that the world has already taken us – the root and source of dissatisfaction, domination, arrogance, stress and unrest, and maybe war.
We choose to follow the star, we choose to be simple and poor yet life-giving to all. The work for Christmas is find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry, re-build home and nation.
God bless you all. May your heart and your respective home continue to be a place of Peace. Have a lovely and wonderful Christmas!
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