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1. Is52:7-10
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2.Heb 1:1-6
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Gospel:
John1:1-18
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"The joy of Christ's
presence in our midst"
It once happened in a
certain parish that there was a Christmas procession with children dressed as
John and Mary. These children were supposed to carry the statue of the Child
Jesus to place it in the manger. However, when they went to the cupboard where it
was kept, it was not there. They searched for it everywhere but they could
trace it, instead they found the small basket of unconsecrated hosts. Thus they carried them in the procession and
placed them in the manger. The priest did the best he could with the homily,
mentioning that the original manger was a feeding trough for animals, that
Bethlehem means" House of bread" and that the Child Jesus would one
day offer himself as the Bread of Life. After communion, without anyone knowing
how happened, the statue of the infant Jesus reappeared in the manger, looking
newer and brighter than anyone remembered. The parishioners continue to recount
this event to anyone who will listen.
Dear brothers and
sisters today we are celebrating the solemnity of the Lord's Birth which is
popularly known as Christmas. During this Christmas day let us ask the Lord:
What is your birthday with, Lord? I am sure, the birthday with of the Lord will
be: do not postpone your conversion, do not postpone your loving and change of
wish; count your blessings and not your sufferings.
Christmas is the
celebration of the birth of Jesus, the savior of all humankind especially for
us Christian Catholics. Most historians peg the first Christmas celebration to
Rome in 336 A.D. Christmas is a holiday. For us Catholics, it's an important
day in our liturgical calendar of the Church since the Lord became incarnate.
Christmas is a feast of light in a much more profound sense since it celebrates
the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He came to bring light and hope
to our world. He opens our eyes to see things with the new light of faith. That
is why we had lighted the white candle, the candle of peace, a the middle of
Advent Wreath last night.
Christmas is an occasion
for Joy. We come to an even greater appreciation of what Christ has done for
us. We rejoice in the fact that his birth in that simple manger in Bethlehem
opened for us the way to salvation. Thus this is the cause of our joy. But let
us celebrate Christmas with Christ at the midst. An unknown author wrote
something about the Christmas Ten
Commandments that appeared in a church newsletter and these contain some
good advice that will help us keep selfishness in check this Christmas:
1. You shall not leave
" Christ" out of Christmas, making it " Xmas." To some,
" X" is unknown.
2. You shall always
prepare your soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that your soul is
forgotten.
3.You shall not let
Santa Claus replace Christ, thus lobbing the day of its spiritual reality.
4. You shall not burden
the shop girl, the mailman and the merchant with complaints and demands.
5 You shall give
yourself with your gift. This will increase its value and a hundred fold and he
who receives it shall treasure it forever.
6. You shall not value
gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love and
that is more priceless than silver and gold.
7. You shall not
neglect the need. Share your blessings with many who will go hungry and cold
unless you are generous.
8. You shall not
neglect your church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.
9. You shall be as a
little child. Not until you have become in spirit as a little one you are ready
to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
10. You shall give your
heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of your Christmas list.
0 Response to "HOMILY FOR CHRISTMAS DAY YEAR A"
Chapisha Maoni