THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

John 1:1-18

 In the beginning was the Word,  and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.    He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world,  and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.  He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.  And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,  and we saw his glory,  the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

REFLECTION

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

Growing up, I lived in the generation that the living room was only used for company. Every piece of furniture was pristine because it was rarely used. That is where our Christmas tree would be, along with the manger, along with the piano.

I spent plenty of quiet time in that room, playing Christmas songs on the piano. The serene peace helped me sing praises to the Baby Infant and ponder what Christmas was all about. Such sweet peace and happiness separated me from myself, joining Jesus as He was intimately present There was no time for the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping because not much was bought. Not much was expected, but the happiness of being with family.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Hebrew "house" (Beth) and "bread" (lehem). Bethlehem is House of Bread!

"The place He was born is rightly called "The House of Bread" because He came down from heaven to earth to give us the food of heavenly life and to satisfy us with eternal sweetness." (St Bede)

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas!

God Bless You