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."
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Reflection:
How do you celebrate your Christmas?
The gospel intimates to us the very
simple birth of Jesus, bereft of any sign of affluence. This must also be our
guide when we celebrate our Christmas; let us make it as simple as possible.
Let us also see to it that we make others happy most especially the poor by
sharing what we have with them. If we do this, they would see the person of
Christ in us; the true meaning of Christmas will become a living reality for
them through us.
Let us also see to it that we attend
Holy Mass for this is the best way to usher the birth of Jesus. The true reason
for the season which is the birth of our savior is often times overcrowded by
our many Christmas undertakings/celebrations. Thus, our celebration becomes the
center of our Christmas; Jesus is set aside in favor of these many
celebrations.
Our Responsorial Psalm which says:
Today is born our savior Christ the Lord. Typifies that we must put more
premium first on the birth of Jesus and not on our many celebrations. In our
first reading the prophet Isaiah signified the importance of Jesus’ birth by
saying that those who walked in darkness have seen a great light and those who
dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone (Isaiah 9:1).
How can we see the true light of Jesus
that will brighten our life if we put first our celebrations in lieu of our
presence in the Holy Mass? How can we discover the true essence of Christ
simple birth if we will not share what we have with the poor? Which Jesus
always love to be identified with. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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