God's Word for Christmas Day

Christmas Day 

Isaiah 9:1-7 Psalm 95:1-3, 11-13. Rv. Luke 2; 11 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14

They rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time.

Let heavens rejoice and the earth be glad at the presence of the Lord for he comes.

We must live good and religious lives here in this present world.

Listen I bring you news of great joy.

Tuesday 25 December 2012

First reading

Isaiah 9:1-7

The people that walked in darkness

has seen a great light;

on those who live in a land of deep shadow

a light has shone.

You have made their gladness greater,

you have made their joy increase;

they rejoice in your presence

as men rejoice at harvest time,

as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.

For the yoke that was weighing on him,

the barb across his shoulders,

the rod of his oppressor,

these you break as on the day of Midian.

For all the footgear of battle,

every cloak rolled in blood,

is burnt,

and consumed by fire.

For there is a child born for us,

a son given to us

and dominion is laid on his shoulders;

and this is the name they give him:

Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God,

Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

Wide is his dominion

in a peace that has no end,

for the throne of David

and for his royal power,

which he establishes and makes secure

in justice and integrity.

From this time onwards and for ever,

the jealous love of the Lord of Hosts will do this.

Christmas is to be an experience. It is an experience in faith but nonetheless true. We are to open ourselves to Jesus present now. Let him be the light of your life.

Psalm

Psalm 95:1-3,11-13

Today a saviour has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.

O sing a new song to the Lord,

sing to the Lord all the earth.

O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Today a saviour has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.

Proclaim his help day by day,

tell among the nations his glory

and his wonders among all the peoples.

Today a saviour has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,

let the sea and all within it thunder praise,

let the land and all it bears rejoice,

all the trees of the wood shout for joy

at the presence of the Lord for he comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

Today a saviour has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.

With justice he will rule the world,

he will judge the peoples with his truth.

Today a saviour has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.

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Second reading

Titus 2:11-14

God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

If we know God in Christ then we will long for him. Life will be coloured by his presence. We will experience his joy and peace.

Gospel Acclamation

Lk2:10-11

Alleluia, alleluia!

I bring you news of great joy:

today a saviour has been born to us, Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

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Gospel

Luke 2:1-14

Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census – the first – took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her have her child, and she birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.

In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace to men who enjoy his favour.’

Christmas party? Party for what?

What is going on? The Roman census, the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Mary pregnant, her time approaching, no room in the inn, the cattle shed, the birth. Then there are the shepherds, stories of angels, of a proclamation of the glory of God and the salvation of the human race. Mary who is at the centre of it all is wonderstruck. What does she do? She treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.

It was a wonderful moment for her. She had brought her child into the world and what a child! He is Christ the Lord! People will call him the Son of the Most High God. What can she say? Words fail her. She is lost in the thoughts of her own heart. When you smell the perfume of a rose, what can you say? Words cannot describe it. You can only relish the beauty. If you have no sense of smell, then you will never become ecstatic.

So it is today. Jesus is born – yes, born in you! With Mary enter into his presence and meet the Saviour who has come for you. These are tidings of great joy for the whole world indeed, but most of all for you. He has come for you, he has come to you, and he is in you.

The cave of Bethlehem is now the cave of your own heart. What is going on in you? Do you have any idea? Sit at the feet of Mary and she will tell you. Treasure all these things and pray that you will be able to smell the fragrance of the rose yourself and not just hear about it even if it is from Mary herself.

“There is a child born for us, a son given to us. God our Saviour has revealed his kindness and love for humanity. The Word was made flesh and lived among us. To all who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God. By the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, Abba, Father, my Father, and Oh Dad!”

However little or much you may be able to experience the joy of Jesus in you and with you, it must be your experience. You need not celebrate someone else’s wedding! He who searches with a passion will always find. He who knocks persistently will always have the door opened to him and he who asks night and day will always receive. Do you want to meet Truth in your heart? ‘Then give up everything that does not lead to God and all worldly ambitions’ and most of all abandon your ego, your own selfishness. We need to find Jesus and bring him out of history into your hearts.

Father, give us the joy of seeking and finding Jesus in our lives today.