December 24th, Christmas Eve 4pm; Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Eve)

Mass Readings for Christmas Day, Years A, B, C: See the Description "About Christmas" after the readings below... The First Reading is from the Book of Isaiah 52:7-10. Today, Christmas Day, is the day when we commemorate the greatest, the mightiest, the most far-reaching event which ever took place in human history. No wonder we date our years form that event—the period that preceded it we call B.C, "before Christ's coming," the years since as "Anno Domino," the years of the Lord, the years which have elapsed since Christ came to assume the kingship of the world. The good tidings—the gospel—of peace has been brought to us by no less a person than the Son of God himself. And he came not as a mighty prince in the prime of life, as he could have done, but he came into this world like one of ourselves...Let us therefore "shout for joy and break out in song" as the prophet tells us, together with all the Christians of the earth on this great festival. It is the festival of God's infinite love and mercy, the festival of our salvation and elevation to sonship with God. Nothing greater could have happened to human nature. The Incarnation is the event of human history. The Second Reading is from the letter to the Hebrews 1:1-6. The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to show how superior the new covenant was to the old. It was written most probably to coverts from Judaism who, because of persecution from Judaizers who were numerous at the time, were tempted to numerous at the time, were tempted to change back to the old law and religion. These six verses of its first chapter were chosen for today's reading because of the clear, definite and emphatic declaration of the divinity of Christ which they contain. The baby who was born in a stable in Bethlehem, lived and died in Palestine, rose the third day from he grave and ascended to heaven forty days later, was also God, equal to the Father in all things. This is a mystery beyond our human comprehension, yet it is a fact, stated by Christ himself, believed and preached by the Apostles and accepted by the Church. The Gospel is from the Gospel of John 1:1-18. The message the Church wishes us to hear from the readings that are read at the Sunday Masses of Advent and at the three Christmas Masses is surely this: "God so loved the world (i.e. us) that he gave his only-begotten Son a human nature, to dwell among us, to teach us, and finally to die for us....God loved us, that he has done wondrous things for us because of that love. One of these things, the greatest of them, is that today's gospel puts so clearly before us: it is the fact of the Incarnation which joined our human nature with the divinity in the Person of Christ, and thereby made us heirs of heaven. —Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M. About Christmas During the Christmas season there is an extensive exchange of greetings and good wishes among friends. These greetings are a reminder of those "good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people, for this day is born to you a Savior Who is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11). They are a reminder, too, that all blessings and graces come to us from Christ: "Hath He not also with Him given us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). Typically there is also an exchange of gifts. This custom should recall to us that on this day God Himself gave to us the greatest of all gifts, His beloved Son: "God so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son" (John 3: 16). The Christmas tree, of which the first-known mention was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into France and England in 1840. It symbolizes the great family tree of Christ which through David and Jesse has its roots in Abraham, the father of the chosen race. It is often laden with gifts to remind us that Christmas brought us the priceless gifts of grace and of eternal life. It is frequently adorned with lights that recall to us that Christ is the Light of the world enlightening those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Though not entirely unknown before, the custom of the Christmas Crib or Creche was adopted by St. Francis of Assisi at Greccio, Italy, on Christmas 1225. It is a concrete and vivid way of representing to ourselves the Incarnation and birth of Christ. It depicts in a striking manner the virtues of the newborn Savior, especially His humility, poverty, and charity. Catholic Culture offers these links to help you experience the joy of Christmas by keeping a spiritual focus on the season. Throughout this wonderful time there will always be much hustle and bustle, shopping and baking and gift giving. But we hope you will refer to the Catholic Culture calendar often for ideas and spiritual nuggets to increase your Christmas joy. Let us try to celebrate Christmas with the innocence and humility of children always keeping in mind the wonderful birth of the Christ Child. Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.