The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 25, 2005
The Nativity of the Lord
(Christmas)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word: (the Mass during the day)
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm: 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

And now the words of that beautiful Christmas Novena so treasured by countless Catholics has come to fulfillment as we cry "Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary in Bethlehem at midnight in the piercing cold....." May He truly hear our prayers and grant our desires! May He scatter the gloom and the darkness, and penetrate all hearts with powerful light.

In looking over the rich Scripture readings for all the Christmas Masses, I was struck with the frequent use of "light". The first reading of the Mass at Midnight sets the theme for the whole celebration: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light....upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone." Obviously, the Mass at Dawn is all about the breaking through of light, and Psalm 97 is used because of the light shining on us today. The beginning of John's Gospel calls Jesus "the light of the human race."

As we ponder more of that wonderful Gospel, we are so aware that the world still does not know or accept Him. That is both a sadness and a challenge. The Light still searches in the darkness for a place to be born, and a place in which to shine. May we reflect with love and courage on this truth. May we resolve to be Light bearers, more surely than all the Christmas decorations that will soon go out. Our light must not go out, through negligence or cowardice or fear. A Child is born for us and a Son is given to us. He is our hope, and the world's hope.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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