Christmas Eve Mass Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 The Annunciation of the Angels: The Shepherds’ Response
Tonight, we gather with the universal Church in Bethlehem, in front of the manger where Jesus Christ is about to be born, quietly awaiting the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel for tonight’s Mass is taken from the Gospel of St. Luke.
When the Virgin Mary returned to her hometown of Bethlehem with Joseph, they sought lodging for the night but found no place, so they had to settle in a manger. (cf. Luke 2:1-7) When the Virgin Mary’s labour pains came, she gave birth to the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ, in the manger. We see that Jesus was so small and weak, resembling an infant. And after Jesus’ birth, an angel first brought the good news of the Savior’s birth to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Lord’s Messiah. And this shall be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.”.
Today, when the shepherds learned from the angel’s mouth that the Savior they had been waiting for, Jesus Christ, had been born, they were afraid, because in their view, they might have seen God, and at that time, if one saw God, they would die. However, the angel did not kill those shepherds along with the heavenly host but instead conveyed a voice to them: “Do not be afraid! Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Lord’s Messiah.” (cf. Luke 2:10-11) And he gave them a sign: “You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (cf. Luke 2:12)
Today, let us become the angels who proclaim to the world the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In our lives, let us live out the spirit of the Holy Word and, through practical actions, proclaim the Christmas of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who live alongside us every day. Bring the Christmas of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who live on the fringes of society and invite them to come to the church to celebrate the Christmas of our Lord Jesus Christ with us.
Nativity of Jesus, Vigil Mass Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David
Tonight, we gather with the universal Church in Bethlehem, in front of the manger where Jesus Christ will be born, quietly awaiting the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel for the vigil Mass is taken from the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, as recorded in St. Matthew.
In this genealogy, we see Matthew mentioning Abraham, David, and some notable figures among the Israelites during their exile in Babylon, in order to convey to us that despite these individuals’ imperfections and even rebellion against God’s holy will, God still forgave them and bestowed upon them various graces.
The merciful God, desiring to continue the grace bestowed upon the Israelites during the Old Testament period, sent His only Son, who assumed a frail human nature, similar in form to humans except for being without sin. He wishes that through Him, through baptism into Christ, we may be united to Him, and through the Spirit of Truth sent by Him from the Father, and by following the Spirit of Truth and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we may no longer live in sin, which is an enemy of God, but rather, together with the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (cf. Rom 8:11), we may cry out, “Abba, Father!” (cf. Rom 8:15), and share in the same cup of blessing, the same bread broken, united in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist celebrated in perpetual remembrance of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Christ.
Let us prepare our minds and hearts well and spend this Christmas Eve with a pure heart and in a good manner.
Advent II: December 24th Gospel: Luke 1:67-79 The Canticle of Zacharias
Today is the seventh day of the second phase of Advent, and this evening, we will enter the eight-day celebration of Christmas. According to tradition, our mother church will hold a vigil Mass and a nocturnal Mass for the Nativity of Jesus, to help us properly prepare our hearts and minds, quietly waiting beside the manger in Bethlehem for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the gospel of today, we hear the hymn of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah hesitated when the Archangel Gabriel announced to him, and thus, until the birth of John the Baptist, he became mute and unable to speak. However, when he saw all that God had spoken through the angel fulfilled in Elizabeth, and when he personally witnessed the birth of John the Baptist as promised by the Archangel, he sang this wonderful hymn.
In this hymn, Zacharias elucidates the great power wielded by the God of Israel upon His people from the time of the Old Testament era until the birth of John the Baptist (cf. Luke 1:68-75). He also mentions the mission of John the Baptist (cf. Luke 1:76-79) as an example for us.
Today, we too should emulate Zacharias and experience God’s love in our lives, always praising God for all that He has done for us, and extolling Him from the depths of our hearts.
全属于祢 
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