The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint Anastasia, Martyr (?304); Saint Eugenia, Martyr (date unknown); Bd Peter the Venerable, Abbot (1092-1156); Bd Bentivoglio de Bonis (1232); Saint Peter Nolasco, Founder (1256 or 1258); Bd Jacopone of Todi (c. 1230-c. 1306); Bd Michael Nakaxima, Martyr (1628); Bd Mary of the Apostles, Foundress (1833-1907); Saint Albert Chmielkowski, Founder (1845-1916)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 67 Those Sent on a Journey

Vigil Mass: Is 62:1-5; Resp Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25

Mass During the Night: 9:1-6; Resp Ps 96; Titus 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14

Mass at Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Resp Ps 97; Tit 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20

Mass During the Day: Is 52:7-10; Resp Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Let us rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass During the Night)

With all the readings proclaimed at the various Christmas Masses, one is hard pressed to choose a favorite. Saint Paul's Letter to Titus proclaimed at Mass During the Night speaks. Yes, "the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us ..." May we be "eager to do what is good." 

Nativity

Christine Rodgers

What must 

the light

have been

like that

night - did

everything

shine in a

glorious way

was it even

possible to

describe the

radiance - or

did it transcend

language

entirely? As

the child would

one day - igniting

the world with love.

Jesus was born in a stable, but was embraced by the love of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. By His birth in the flesh, the Son of God consecrated familial love. My thoughts this moment turn to families: to those who cannot come together today and to those forced to remain at home. May Christmas be an opportunity for all of us to rediscover the family as a cradle of life and faith, a place of acceptance and love, dialogue, forgiveness, fraternal solidarity and shared joy, a source of peace for all humanity.

(Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi Message, December 25, 2020)

MARY, MOTHER OF CHRIST,

SAINT JOSEPH, PILLAR OF FAMILIES,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Our creche, detail. Bless the work of our hands. 

© Gertrude Feick 2020