The Season of Christmas

Introduction:

While the familiar gospel narrative of the birth in the stable at Bethlehem, so popular in childhood is both rich and colourful. The deeper meaning and significance of these Christmas event should not be lost to us, or our children. In explaining this deeper mystery of the Sacrament of Christmas, we do need to appreciate the method by which the evangelists, each in their own way, proclaim the message.

The evangelist Mark makes no mention of the birth, maybe it is unimportant. His account of the Good News starts at the beginning of the public life and ministry of Jesus himself.

While Matthew uses a recognised ‘midrashic style’ to set out the significance of the birth of this particular Jewish child, son of Mary. This is not factual history as we might understand it. The ‘star’, the visit of the Magi or wise men, all help to indicate the great importance of the birth of this child, and it’s world wide significance for all peoples, kings, and above all for the Jewish people.

John, the evangelist provides a deeper theological text. Profound statements about the Word made flesh, God pitching the tent of meeting among the people, and the meaning of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the great plan of salvation - all this is well worth our prayerful reflection.

Luke, whose gospel is used largely throughout Year B, the reading cycle for this year, concentrates on the meaning of these events for the simple and lowly folk to whom he addresses a well constructed, apparently well informed narrative of the infancy and birth of Jesus, son of Mary. It is no accident that the good news comes first, in Luke’s version, to the poor shepherds keeping their flocks outside the town of Bethlehem.

The joyful season of Christmas speaks of light, joy and peace among all people of goodwill. Christians are pledged to discover through the humanity of Jesus, the truth and meaning of life. To find the Way to God. Inspired by the Good News of Christ, to make Christ alive in todays world though service to the needy, sick and the poor.

The Nativity of the Lord

Saturday, 25 December 1999

Midnight - First Mass of Christmas

Theme: Joy! For the child is born who brings hope to the downtrodden.

The Prophet Isaiah 9: 1 - 7

The child that is born, brings healing and freedom to a people that walked in darkness. The weapons of war are to be put aside, and the people enter into the era of peace. As Promised, it is God that is doing this. God keeps the Covenant with the faithful People of God. They are glad!

Letter of Paul to Titus 2: 11 - 14

Paul urges us to put aside worldly ambition and all that does not lead us in the Way of God, for the Lord has come among us, to set us free, and to bring healing. Paul invites us to make our only ambition to do good.

Gospel according to Luke 2: 1 - 14

Luke in setting an historical scene, relates how the Good News of the birth of the promised Messiah, is announced with joy. Not, in the first instance, to mighty kings , to rich princes, but proclaimed to the poor shepherds, who in their time were treated as unwelcome outcasts, like refugees or homeless people in our own time.

Dawn - Second Mass of Christmas

Theme: The People of God are happy to hear the news of the Saviour’s birth!

The Prophet Isaiah 62: 11 - 12

The verses preceding this text are addressed by the prophet to the watchmen in the city of Jerusalem whose task was to remind the people of God’s promise, and to recall God’s historical deeds in saving the People of Israel. So, “Your saviour comes!” is the cry that goes out to the very ends of the world.

Letter of Paul to Titus 3: 4 - 7

Paul gives us a timely reminder that nothing we have done can make us deserving of the grace of God. It is God’s gift to us, that renewed, healed and changed by the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism, we become heirs of Christ and can now look forward to everlasting life.

Gospel according to Luke 2: 15 - 20

The poor shepherds, hearing the news of the birth of the long expected Messiah, go to the town of Bethlehem to see the child for themselves. Like Mary, Mother of Jesus, they ponder in their hearts all that they have seen and heard. Then rejoicing they return to their workplace praising God.

Day - Third Mass of Christmas

Theme: The WORD of GOD made flesh lives among us.

The Prophet Isaiah 52: 7 - 10

There is excitement in the ruined city of Jerusalem, as the ‘watchmen’ repeat the good news brought by the herald, shouting throughout the city - the return of Sion’s King and Lord, bringing the new era of restoration, peace and lasting happiness.

Letter to the Hebrews 1: 1- 6

God spoke to our ancestors in times past in may ways, but now speaks to us directly through Jesus Christ. “He is the radiant light of God’s glory, the perfect copy of God’s nature.... let all the angels of God worship him.”

Gospel according to John 1: 1 - 18

This familiar opening passage from the Gospel according to John, provides us with a theological reflection on the deeper meaning of the Christ event. Essentially, the WORD of GOD, taking human flesh, and living among us. In meeting Jesus through his human being, sharing with him the pains, suffering and joys of life, we discover the divinity of his being, and so learn something about ourselves and abut our destiny.

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