A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (2:1-14)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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 shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear. The angel 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 host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
(The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!)
Reflection: Glory to God in the highest!
Imagine ourselves as one of the shepherds. We are quietly attending to the herd of sheep, when suddenly an angel appears to us out of nowhere. A bright light frightens us as the angel reassures us, “Do not be afraid; For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
What a beautiful sight for the shepherds to hear the angel’s proclamation and song of praise, and to see our Lord and Savior as a little baby child, just a few hours old, dressed in swaddling clothes, lying asleep in a manger with a cute but loving smile!
What an outpouring of love that Our Lord Jesus chose to do, to be a gift for us and for all humanity!
The Son of the Father and creator of the universe, choosing to be born as a vulnerable infant, to live, eat, drink, breathe the air we breathe, to live as the son of Mary and Joseph, to experience life among us as a human being, fulfilling what was said by the prophets as He came to save us from sin, to allow us to be guided by His spirit as our model of sharing of God’s bountiful love and blessings, and to make a way for all of humanity to avail of God’s great love, grace and mercy, and one day to be restored and reunited forever in His presence!
This Christmas day as we celebrate with our and families and friends, how can we share the same joy experienced by the shepherds, by Joseph and Mary? The hope of our joy has come to share His great light, love and mercy with us! May this season of giving go beyond the sharing of gifts of presents, but also be the gift of outpouring the joy, love, and mercy of our savior to be shared to all!
Action for the Day: On this Christmas day, ask ourselves how can we be a source of joy and peace? How can we share God’s blessings of joy, mercy and love and the true meaning of Christmas to every person that we meet?
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