Presider: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki Choir: Holy Apostles www.MySundayMass.org Gospel and Homily: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke. Glory to you O Lord. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around them and they were struck with great fear. The angels said to them "Do not be afraid for behold I proclaim to 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 for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you. You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly hosts, with the angel praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace on whom his favor rests." The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes we need to be alerted to the significance of what we are viewing. How many of us would pass by a priceless painting because we lack the ability to understand the master's brush? Or how many of us would be unable to listen to a piece of music and realize the genius in the composition? We need to be directed, to be educated, to be informed and formed in order to fully understand what is happening, what we are really seeing. Or else we go about living our ordinary lives with our eyes closed to the mysteries and wonders that surround us. We deny ourselves the treasures which are offered to us and then we complain how empty our lives are. How many people do you think passed by the stable in Bethlehem that Christmas eve and Christmas day without understanding what has happened? Without realizing who has come into the world? You know it’s a simple presentation, the Christmas story, the birth of a baby born to poor parents and presented in a stable. The miracle of birth and the celebration of life, even the most simple of people who possess goodwill can appreciate this event as something personal in their experience but through the instruction of the angels the poorest shepherd now gain an insight to the event that will forever change our human existence. This is the instruction, it is revealed by God that a savior has been born for you who is messiah and Lord. The announcement by these heavenly messengers indicates that this is no mere human occurrence but one which is the mark of the creator, its a divine action and needs the eyes of faith in order to see beyond the prejudices of the world, that looks down upon the poor, denying their dignity, that views poverty as disgusting and voids those in need. This is a revelation that helps us to understand the mystery of the one who has come and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. But can we recognize the word when it’s wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger? The announcement was an invitation to come and see, acknowledge that the Son of God has come into the world. Our God's desire is to be one with us, to fulfill our greatest need. And what is that greatest need? To be loved. This child gives himself totally and completely as a gift who feeds us with the bread of life, his life. Born in Bethlehem, Bethlehem the house of bread. He will prove his life in sacrifice for us but today it’s now up to us to accept his invitation to receive his life and forever change ours. What a great and good God we have to come among us and be one with us. Merry Christmas.

• published: 25 Dec 2015
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