Christmas is here! We join in celebrating the Nativity of Jesus the Holy Infant whose love rescues us from the darkness of death into His everlasting light.
Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord -- Mass during the Day (December 25, 2022): IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4,5-6; HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Christmas, the English word for this feast comes from Christ, the Greek word for Anointed, a translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah; and from the word Mass, our Eucharistic celebration, comes from the Latin for send.
On this Christmas day, we hear the Gospel according to St. John that starts with the same phrase as Genesis, the first book of Scriptures: “In the beginning… .” These words help us appreciate that while Jesus was born to His mother Mary in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago, He was and is the Son of God from all eternity. And, one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Christ created all that is. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race, and the darkness has not overcome it. … From His fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:1-5,16-17). So we rejoice in the lovely celebration of our Savior’s birth. We worship our Divine Lord. Word and truth, light and grace -- the Second Person of the Trinity and Redeemer of the world comes not only bearing these gifts, but being these gifts. The Holy Infant came to save us with His life. He also came to reveal Himself as the source of love. United with the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, He participated in the creation of all, including ourselves and every person who ever has or ever will live. Through Divine love we were made or and through Divine love we can be transformed into His image. Whatever we are that is good and beautiful in the result of grace shared through the truth of the Eternal Word who is Jesus Christ.
Christmas, the English word for this feast comes from Christ, the Greek word for Anointed, a translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah; and from the word Mass, our Eucharistic celebration, comes from the Latin for send. Christ was sent by the Father to help us and heal us for eternity. But He also sends us out on Christmas and every day to spread the Good News of His life and the joy of His love.
Suggested missionary action: Let us thank God for the gift of His beloved Son by reflecting His generosity and mercy. We can generously help those in need with material assistance as we are able. But more than that, we can show a gracious and open heart to those who need our time and attention. This is a Christmas gift that lives and lasts.