Homily for Mass of the day Monday 25 Dec. 2023.THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Solemnity)

TODAY’S REFLECTION For some people Christmas is a day of rest as they are worn out by hectic preparations for the big day. Others spend Christmas day in extravagant merriment. Is that what Christmas is really all about? Surely we should rejoice and make merry at Christmas but we should never miss its real message. Any Christmas celebration that is not centered on the Emmanuel, God among us, has lost the sense of it. Mary who was surprised and confused treasured everything in her heart as she welcomed the Messiah. Notwithstanding the ups and downs of life, we should always have hope that one day the Lord of fulfillment will come to our aid and light will overshadow darkness. Let us remain steadfast in good behaviour. Let us respond to the joy of Christmas by making sure that even after the celebration, our words, thoughts and actions will always demonstrate the fact that the Lord is within us.