Sunday: Christmas Mass during the Night Date: December 24, 2006 Year: C The readings: [Is. 9:2-4, 6-7; Tit. 2:11-4; Lk. 2:1-16] The message: A child has been born for us Prepared by: CATHOLIC DOORS MINISTRY Total words: 994 |
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Good evening my spiritual brothers and sisters in Jesus. Tonight, as I look around, I see so many faces bursting with joy. Why is everyone so happy? It is because a Child has been born for us. On this joyful night, we are celebrating the day of Christmas that commemorates the coming of Baby Jesus into this world and into our lives. Who would have ever imagined two thousand years ago that the Lord God would have set aside His almighty power to incarnate in human form so He could be with us, His creations that He loves so much?
As we gaze at the manger that has been set up in our Church, this reminds us of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus. Because there was no room in the warmth of the inn, Baby Jesus was born in the open under the stars. This makes us wonder, why did He choose such a poor environment to be born in? Surely, as our King, as the King of kings, He deserved better! But this is what Jesus wanted! This was His way of teaching us that holiness is found in poverty, in humility, in servitude, in suffering, etc...
Through this humble birth, the shepherds were privileged to visit and adore Baby Jesus. Had Jesus been born as a King in a palace, only the rich and famous would have been able to approach Him. But Jesus did not come just for the rich and famous. He came into this world for all of us. That includes you and me.
As we heard earlier, the angel said to the shepherds, "I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Indeed, it was a great joy then and it is a great joy today. Had Jesus not come, because our beings have been stained by the original sin of Adam, at the end of our earthly lives, we would all experience a spiritual death. For eternity, we would be deprived of the beatific vision of God in our presence. But now, through our faith in Jesus as our Messiah and the Sacrament of Baptism, we receive the heavenly gifts of the new birth, the indwelling Holy Spirit and inheritance into the Body of Christ. None of these gifts would have been possible had Jesus not come. Thank you Jesus for coming into our lives. We adore you now and forever.
On this special night, by the grace of God, I suppose that we are all glowing with a spirit of joy and peace. This great inner joy and peace is different than what we normally enjoy during the year. There is something special about this spiritual joy and peace. Let us always remember it! May our hearts be soaked in it! Let us cherish it! Throughout the year, we should always strive to draw upon this very special spiritual manifestation of Jesus so we may continue to enjoy it over and over again.
Tonight, we get the impression that we are surrounded by a bright and powerful light, a light of shining love, the light of Jesus. Although through our physical eyes, it does not appear that much is different in the Church tonight compared to yesterday or last Sunday, yet in our hearts, we know that there is something very different. Baby Jesus is really present here with us tonight. So is the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, many of the saints and endless angels. All are commemorating the Birth of Jesus. Tonight, we are surrounded by the Divine light of love that is intended to unite us all closer and closer as one within the invisible Mystical Body of Christ.
Reflecting upon the mystery of the birth of Baby Jesus, during the First Reading we heard that Jesus would be named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These titles of honour echo the fullness of the Holy Trinity. Indeed, in Jesus, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell bodily. [Col. 1:19] In baby Jesus coexisted the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to Philip, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." [Jn. 14:9] The birth of Jesus holds many mysteries regarding the incarnation of God, Divine love, mercy, forgiveness, so much spiritual knowledge and understanding that books and books have been written about such.
When Jesus came on earth, as we all know, He suffered, was crucified and died for us. Three days later, He resurrected. All this had to happen for Jesus to redeem us of our iniquity and purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous to perform good deeds. All this had to happen for Jesus to establish His eternal Kingdom as the King of kings. Today, Jesus rules in His spiritual Kingdom which He upholds with justice and righteousness. His beautiful Kingdom awaits all of us who persevere in our living faith so we may be adopted as the sons and daughters of the Lord God.
The Kingdom of Jesus belongs to the holy people. It belongs to those who love to adore, praise and worship God. It belongs to those who have self-control, who reject the worldly passions. It belongs to those who are upright and godly while awaiting the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
As we continue to worship Baby Jesus during the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us remember that "a child has been born for us." Jesus came for you. He wants you. His eternal Kingdom will not be complete unless you are part of it. As such, persist in your blessed hope and never take your eyes off Jesus.
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The readings...
[The readings were taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (C) 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the United States of America.]
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First Reading...
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." [Is. 9:2-4. 6-7]
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Second Reading...
"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds." [Tit. 2:11-4]
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Gospel Reading...
"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in hands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!'
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger." [Lk. 2:1-16]
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