The Nativity of the Lord Gospel: Luke 2:15-20; John 1:1-18 Witness of the Shepherd and John the Baptist
Today, following tradition, the Church will celebrate two Christmas Masses for Jesus, namely the Nativity of the Lord Mass at Dawn and the Nativity of the Lord Mass during the Day. Both Gospels share a common theme: testimony. St. Luke introduces us to the process of the shepherds who, upon hearing the angel’s announcement, went to Bethlehem and arrived at the manger where the infant Jesus was. Initially, they harboured doubts and even felt fear, but soon after, they began to attempt to go to Bethlehem to see the Messiah announced by the angel. Upon seeing the Messiah of God, they glorified and praised God continuously on their way back. St. John reveals to us the profound mystery of the Word of God and God’s creation, as well as the new creation that He began through John the Baptist. We can see the testimony of John the Baptist in his accounts. John the Baptist, who could have replaced Jesus, humbled himself and clearly pointed out to us that Jesus is the Messiah of God. As a disciple of John the Baptist, St. John, under the influence of John, decided to follow our Lord Jesus and become His disciple. From the accounts of these two sacred historians, we see a common theme: witness. In accordance with His providence, God chose the shepherds to proclaim to the world the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Moreover, in accordance with His holy will, He chose John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus Christ, preparing a suitable people for our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, God has likewise chosen us, inviting us to proclaim to the world the mystery of the Incarnation of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us emulate the shepherds and John the Baptist, living out the Word of God in our lives, and with a simple and generous attitude, proclaim to the world the joyful news of the Savior’s birth. I wish you all a joyous Christmas in the Lord Jesus!
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.
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