The Gospel readings for Christmas Day provide us with a treasure of riches. The Midnight Mass Gospel reading (Luke 2, 1-14) tells the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus and the angelic visitation to the shepherds.
The birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, at Bethlehem, coincides with the census decree issued to the whole world by Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, the most powerful man in the world of that time. When an angel of the Lord appeared to the unsuspecting shepherds, living in the fields, and minding their flocks, the glory of the Lord shone around them. We can imagine how these uneducated, non-law-observant, peasants, felt with this heavenly visitation. And then to be told the good news of great joy to be shared by the whole people, that “today is born for/to you a saviour: he is Christ the Lord.” They were the first humans to hear this world-changing good- news of the birth of Jesus the Saviour of the world, and the first to visit the child. One suspects that, humble rustics that they were, they would have been the first too, to admit their need for a saviour, but the last to expect the amazing honour of being the first, outside the Holy Family, to meet him. What an extraordinary choice by God for such an honour!
The gospel for the dawn Mass on Christmas Day (Luke 2,15-20), describes the visit of the shepherds to the new-born child “lying in a manger,” after the departure of the angelic host. The visit of the shepherds was their spontaneous, faith-filled response, to the heavenly message which they had just received. They repeated what they had been told by the angel about the child, and everyone was astonished at what they had to say. This was new evangelisation at its best – faith-filled proclamation of good news and heartfelt response to it. Mary treasured all the gracious things that these unlettered shepherds said about her new- born son, the Son of God and Saviour of the world. She pondered these things in her heart, and the shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. They were now radically changed people!
The Gospel for the third Mass of Christmas day is called the prologue of St John’s gospel: a theological reflection, a mystical meditation on the mystery that the child born of Mary is the eternal Word of God, existing for all eternity with the heavenly Father, but now become flesh, a human being, and living with us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Word is eternal, existing with the Father before time began; the Creator of all things; the light of the world. The Word became flesh, and lived among us, and is the true light that enlightens us. To those who receive him and believe in him he gives power to become children of God. He is full of grace and truth, and he wants us to share his grace and truth and become adopted children of His Father and become His adopted brothers and sisters. This is why Christmas happened and why it is such a joyous time for those who believe in the child who was at its centre: our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I wish you a joyful, and peaceful Christmas. May you welcome Jesus as your personal Saviour and friend and thank God his eternal Father for such amazing love and such an awesome gift His son Jesus Christ is for each of us.
Fr Geoff O’Grady