2025 Cycle A - Christmas
Readings
ChristmasVigil Is 62:1-5, Acts 13:16-17, Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Need Psalm
Night IS 9:1-6, Ti 2:11-14, Lk 2:1-14 Need Psalm
Dawn Is 62:11-12, Ti 3:4-7, Lk 2: 15-20 Need Psalm
Day Is 52:7 -10, Heb 1:1-6, Jn 1: 1-18 or 1:1-5 & 9-14 Need Psalm
Homily Theme
The Christ-Mass Gift
Each year at this time, we are all busy wrapping, and later opening, our Christmas gifts. Some of them will not be that exciting or appreciated. We would be hurt if our gifts to our friends were left unopened or unwanted. The original Christmas Gift that the world received in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago was the greatest gift God could bestow on humanity. Our Almighty God who created the Universe and all that is in it. Our God, who had no beginning and has existed from all eternity, became a small baby and took on our human nature, so that we can share eternal life with Him forever in heavenly bliss: what a gift! For millions this gift has remained unopened, unappreciated and unwanted. Ponder this as you excitedly tear open your Christmas gifts.
The Shepherds were invited to receive the gift of seeing the Christ child wrapped in swaddling clothes. They were in the presence of the living God wrapped in human flesh. You and I are invited to receive that same Jesus wrapped in bread and wine. The communion you will receive is not a sacred thing but a sacred person, it is the living God. Millions of Catholics no longer receive the Holy Eucharist and no longer receive this most sacred of all His gifts, the God who became man. He now becomes food for our souls at Holy Mass. The origin of the Christmas greeting Merry Christ Mass comes to us from Old England in the Middle Ages. This was how they greeted each other on the way to Midnight Mass. Many people want us to put Christ back in Christmas I suggest that we put the Mass back in Christmas. It is God’s greatest gift to mankind. May we all receive a new spiritual heart this Christmas: You will if you go to Confession.
Eight years ago, a dear Doctor friend of mine, Dr. Ted Homa, had a mortal heart attack but was revived. He continued to live only by means of a mobile heart machine. Many prayers were offered for the gift of a new heart so that he could live a normal life again. He did receive a gift of a new heart Christmas Day 2008. It was a life-changing spiritual experience for him. He has since written of his after-death experience published under the “Title of: Between the gates of Heaven and the Gates of Hell. He came face to face with death and has experienced new life. He experienced the God who came to us through the womb of the Virgin Mary. He experienced His love and forgiveness. He knows now the wonder of the Christmas gift of God’s infinite love and mercy. My friend’s values are changed forever, and he now realizes the greatness of the gift of his Catholic faith. Get His book from Amazon and change the heart of someone who needs to experience God this Christmas Gift.
A Holy and Merry Christ-Mass to all.