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."
Reflection: "For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord."
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God made man. The magic and splendor of Christmas is here. No earthly present we receive gives us the hope that Christ does. He did not come into this world by Himself but came by way of a family--as a helpless, humble, poor tender baby. It is easy to approach Him because He is a baby. We are all drawn to the innocence and the beauty of a baby. We do not hesitate nor are we scared to hold this child in our arms, gazing upon His face. Imagine, God the Father is gazing upon His newly born child's face as well. This look into the face of Jesus encourages us to be present with the child. For this child came so that we would all go to heaven and spend the grandeur of God's love in eternity. We are looking at the face of Christ, we are looking at God who is love and we look at heaven, the King of heaven.
Some cells from the unborn child migrate through the placenta into the mother's bloodstream. They are called "pluripotent" cells and they have the ability to develop into many types of tissue in the mother's body. The cells of the unborn Christ became a part of His mother's tissues, her body. These "pluripotent" cells are always present in the mother. (The Catholic Thing,"Singular Vessel of Devotion") This Ark of the Covenant who is our Mother Mary carries her Son with her. Never hesitate to speak with His Mother. She listens and beckons you to her Son, who lives in her. Her love for us is so pure.
Look at the simplicity of the manger--our Creator left His mighty throne to be one in the human family. He will live with those who are little, those who have a childlike spirit. Today Mary asks us to know, hold and love Him. With a childlike spirit may we be open and willing to grasp the greatness of Jesus. He is our Savior and we owe our eternal life to Him.
"For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord."
"Merry Christmas to our happy PAPA Family !! Merry Christmas to all our Priests!! Pray for our priests with the simplicity of a child.
God bless you
