Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines our minds, may also shine through in our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Is 62:11-12
The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: “Say to daughter Zion, See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 12 “They shall be called ‘The Holy People,’ ‘The Redeemed of the Lord’; and you shall be called ‘Sought Out,’ ‘A City Not Forsaken.’”
Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1,6,11-12
R/. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Second Reading Ti 3:4-7
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Alleluia Lk 2:14
Gospel Lk 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Catena Nova
Behold on Christmas a new and wondrous reality. The angels sing and the archangels blend their voices in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt Christ’s glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth and humanity in heaven. He Who is above now for our redemption dwells here below, and we who are lowly are by divine mercy raised up. Bethlehem this day resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices…. This day He Who is born and He Who is becomes what He is not. He is God become human, yet not departing from His Godhead (St. John Chrysostom).
[The Word of God] chose surroundings that were poor and simple, so ordinary as to be almost unnoticed, so that people would know it was the Godhead alone that had changed the world. This was his reason for choosing his mother from among the poor of a very poor country, and for becoming poor himself. Let the manger teach you how poor the Lord was: he was laid in it because he had no bed to lie on. This lack of the necessaries of life was a most appropriate prophetic foreshadowing. He was laid in a manger to show that he would be the food even of the inarticulate. The Word of God drew to himself both the rich and the poor, both the eloquent and the slow of speech as he lay in the manger in poverty….The Word of God in a human body was laid in a manger, so that both the eloquent and the slow of speech would have courage to share in the food of salvation…. He whose godhead made him rich became poor for our sake, so as to put salvation, within the reach of everyone (Theodotus of Ancyra).
I behold you, noble, glorious and whole woman, the pupil of purity. You are the sacred matrix in which God takes great pleasure.
The essences of Heaven flooded into you, and the Great Word of God dressed itself in flesh.
You appeared as a shining white lily, as God looked upon you before all of Creation.
O lovely and tender one, how greatly has God delighted in you. For He has placed His passionate embrace within you, so that His Son might nurse at your breast.
Your womb held joy, with all the celestial symphony sounding through you, Virgin, who bore the Son of God, when your purity became luminous in God.
Your flesh held joy, like grass upon which dew falls, pouring its life-green into it, and so it is true in you also, o Mother of all delight.
Now let all Ecclesia shine in joy and sound in symphony praising the most tender woman, Mary, the bequeather/seed-source of God. Amen (St. Hildegard of Bingen).
Peace on earth is for people of good will. But all are not of good will. The Son of the Eternal Father had to come down from the glory of heaven because the mysterious power of evil had shrouded the earth in night. Darkness covered the earth. He came as a light shining in the darkness. But the darkness did not receive him. To those who did he brought light and peace with the Father in Heaven and peace with all who are children of the light and children of the Father in Heaven. This is peace that lies deep in the heart. But it is not peace with those who are children of darkness. To them the Prince of Peace brings not peace but the sword. For them he is the stumbling-block which they run into and which breaks them. That is the grievous and grave truth which the poetic charm of the child in the manger must not conceal from us. The mystery of the incarnation and that of evil are closely connected. The child in the manger stretches out his small hands, and already his smile seems to say what later the lips of the adult Jesus will say: “Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened”. Some answer this call. When the poor shepherds heard the angelic message they said with simple trust: “Let’s go to Bethlehem”. They set out on the way to Christ. Kings from distant lands followed a marvelous star with the same simple faith. The child’s hands poured the dew of grace upon them all and they rejoiced. (St. Edith Stein/Benedicta of the Cross).
Good news; but if you ask me what it is, I know not; It is a track of feet in the snow, It is a lantern showing a path, It is a door set open.(G.K. Chesterton)
The Incarnation, which is for traditional Christianity synonymous with the historical birth and earthly life of Christ, is for mystics of a certain type, not only this but also a perpetual Cosmic and personal process. It is an everlasting bringing forth, in the universe and also in the individual ascending soul, of the divine and perfect Life, the pure character of God, of which the one historical life dramatized the essential constituents. Hence the soul, like the physical embryo, resumes in its upward progress the spiritual life-history of the race. “The one secret, the greatest of all,” says Patmore, is “the doctrine of the Incarnation, regarded not as an historical event which occurred two thousand years ago, but as an event which is renewed in the body of every one who is in the way to the fulfilment of his original destiny” (Evelyn Underhill).
Our text refers to the praxis of transmission and proclamation. The frightened shepherds become God's messengers. They organize, make haste, find others, and speak with them. Do we not all want to become shepherds and catch sight of the angel? I think so. Without the perspective of the poor, we see nothing, not even an angel. When we approach the poor, our values and goals change. The child appears in many other children. Mary also seeks sanctuary among us. Because the angels sing, the shepherds rise, leave their fears behind, and set out for Bethlehem, wherever it is situated these days.(Dorothee Soelle)
Homily
Those angelic choirs would be just as welcome today as on that first Christmas. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they believe in angels, according to a recent poll. That includes 84 percent of those with a religious affiliation and 33 percent without one. And of the latter 2 percent are atheists, 25 percent agnostics and 50 percent “nothing in particular.”(AP *NORC'; July 23, 2023) One Los Angeles chaplain suggested “People are yearning for something greater than themselves — beyond their own understanding,” and that, “For a lot of people, angels are a lot safer to worship.” Why, you might ask? Well, because worshipping Jesus "is far more involved."(Jack Grogger; Associated Press, July 21, 2023).Indeed. And that's the trouble with angels.
Don’t get me wrong. The existence of angels is part of the Catholic faith. And the poll found 82% of Catholics agree. They’re in theCreedwhen we profess our belief in God the maker of “all things visible andinvisible.” They’re in the liturgy too. When we make our confession as Mass begins, we ask“all the angels and saints to pray for us to the Lord our God.”And when we sing“Glory to God in the highest,”it’s their words we place on our lips, as later on,“Holy, holy holy, Lord God of hosts,”are angel words too. The latest translation of the Roman Missal has restored their ranks to many of the prefaces, just in case you’ve been wondering who the Thrones, Powers, Dominions, and Virtues are. And theCatechism of the Catholic Churchis clear on the matter, saying “angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures” (no. 350). And I’m quite sure my guardian angel has rescued me from a dangerous moment or two.
But as I said, there can be trouble with angels. People on the lookout for heaven’s messengers in the form of winged cherubs will, more often than not, be disappointed, if not deceived. For the gospel is clear how God comes in some pretty plain wrapping paper, like swaddling clothes. And how thefeet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation(I) — how such feet aren’t often clad in the latest pair of cross trainers from Nike or with Armani leather.
No, God’s messengers are often quite different. Take shepherds, for instance. They weren’t very high up on the social ladder. They were among the lowly and poor. Not the kind of people you’d invite to Christmas dinner. Not before they bathed and changed their clothes, at least! So the real surprise, beyond rumors of angels, is that God’s messengers should come in such a simple, scruffy, and smelly form as shepherds.
Which is the real trouble with angels. For by Christmas morning, they’re gone. Indeed, they seem out of place today after their brief appearance at Midnight Mass. For it seems their only role was to get the shepherd’s moving. For they, more than angels, belong to Christmas morn. Whenthey went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger(G).
You see, shepherds are at home in such a place. Angels are used to heaven, but shepherds know what a manger is like. They fit right in. Which is why, I think, whenthey made known what had been told them about this child. . . all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them(G). Amazed that shepherds would be entrusted with such a message. Angels yes, but shepherds?
And I imagine people today would be just as surprised. After all, angels are a draw, but shepherds are just, well, shepherds. And why would we listen to them? In all their many forms? Yet, shepherds, like angels, still appear.
Alongside “angels and archangels,” a modern shepherd, for instance, might appear in the form of people seeking food or clothing at the House of Hospitality. Alongside “cherubim and seraphim,” a modern shepherd might appear as a homeless person or the frail elderly. Alongside “virtues, thrones, and dominations,” a modern shepherd might look like an undocumented immigrant, the working poor, or someone in recovery. Alongside “principalities and powers,” a modern shepherd could appear in the form of a battered woman or a needy child.
Yes, these are today’s lowly and poor who feel at home in modern day mangers. These are “angels in America.” And they might amaze us for being messengers of God, surprise us for being the ones on whom God’s favor rests. Yes, angels have told us so. Because the lowly know, as others do not, how God regards us,not because of any righteousness [we have] done, but according to his mercy. . .through Jesus Christ our Savior,born this happy morning (cf. II). Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.
Intercessions(Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)
For the Church: that Christ may be born in our hearts so that we may bring God’s love and hope to all whom we encounter.
For all peoples on the earth: that Jesus’ presence with us will bring forth peace and goodwill; reconciliation and forgiveness; and an end to violence and terrorism.
For healing for the human family: that God who became human may help us recognize the dignity of each person who was made in the image and likeness of God.
For all who are recovering from natural disasters, who have lost homes or employment, or who have fled violence: that the coming of Christ may renew their hope, strengthen their spirits, and help them rebuild their lives.
For all children: that they may be welcomed into this world with joy, nurtured and cared for as they grow, and encouraged to dream great things.
For healing of all fear: that the angel's message, "Fear not," may free all the human family and each of us from the bonds of fear and propel us to live boldly.
For all who are traveling or away from home this day, particularly missionaries and members of the military: that God will guide their movements, preserve them in love, and bring them home safely.
For peace in Bethlehem, the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel: that God will open new communication and understanding between all who live in the Holy Land.
Today, O God of light, your loving-kindness dawns, your tender compassion shines upon us, for in our Saviour, born of human flesh, you reveal your gracious gift of our birth to life eternal. Fill us with wonder on this holy day: let us treasure in our hearts what we have been told, that our lives may proclaim your great and gentle mercy. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)
Offertory Chant
Offertory Hymn (Kenneth Leighton)
We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest,
Young Dawn of our eternal day!
We saw Thine eyes break from the East
And chase the trembling shades away.
We saw Thee; and we blessed the sight,
We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light.
I saw the obsequious seraphim’s,
Their rosy fleece of fire bestow.
For well they now can spare their wings,
Since heaven itself lies here below.
Well done, said I: but are you sure
Your down, so warm, will pass for pure?
No, no, your King’s not yet to seek,
Where to repose His royal head.
See, see, how soon His new bloomed cheek
Twixt mother’s breasts is gone to bed.
Sweet choice, said we! no way but so:
Not to lie cold, yet sleep in snow.
Welcome, to our wond’ring sight!
Eternity shut in a span.
Summer in winter, day in night,
Heaven in earth, and God in man.
Great little One! Whose glorious birth
Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.
To Thee, meek Majesty!
Soft King of simple graces and sweet loves.
Each of us his lamb will bring, Each his pair of silver doves;
Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.
Communion Chant
Closing Hymn
Let creation shout for gladness, God today from Virgin comes forth In a cave among His creatures. To adore the Christ-Child lying Come the Kings, come the Kings to honor Him!
O good Joseph, do not be fearful, For the Savior is appearing Bringing joy to every nation, And announcing God’s salvation: Gift of grace, gift of grace forevermore!
There the three kings bring their presents: Incense, myrrh, and gold most precious; To the new-born infant Savior Who is Lord of all creation They present, they present offerings! Shepherds now are running to Him, And with pipes they give their worship For the angels’ joyful tidings. Say ‘the Child that’s born of Mary, Eternal, eternal God is He!”
