Christmas Vigil Mass

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Today is a truly joyful day.

“For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given.” (Isaiah 9:5)

May the joy and peace of Christ’s birth be filled in all of you, your families, and the world.

 

The meaning of Christmas is well infused in today’s readings.  I hope we can renew the blessings of Christmas in all of us as we reflect on today’s readings.

 

Christmas can be described as a time of recovery.  We find what we have lost just as people rejoice when they find light after a journey in the dark.  “You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest.” (Isaiah 9:2)  

 

COVID-19 has cast a great darkness to all of us.  There are limitations as to what we can do; we need to social distance and undergo economic difficulties.  The complaints and negativities are mounting as they spread like a virus escalating pessimistic outlook in many.  Christmas shines brightly so that these disappointments and losses will not destabilize our minds and hearts.  

 

This light shines internally.  In fact, circumstance surrounding the Christmas was pitiful.  After the king’s proclamation, pregnant Mary departs to Jerusalem with Joseph on a very laborious journey.  They could not even find a room for a pregnant woman; they wrap the baby in clothes and put him in a feeding-box.  However “infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” becomes his iconic symbol.  From a stable, God’s glory and peace are proclaimed for all people.

 

This Christmas, we prepared and distributed food for the elders in our community.  Many have responded with phone calls and texts; despite the prolonged hardships due to COVID-19, I felt the Christmas joy and thanks in their voices.  

 

Christmas guides us to our salvation.  

“For the grace of God our Savior has appeared to all men.” (Tito 2:11)

We need to recover our true joy and happiness through Christmas and “reject impiety and worldly desires, so that we may live soberly and justly and piously in this age” as we strive toward our salvation.  

 

Again Merry Christmas to you and your family!