Christmas Day

Gospel – Luke 2:1-14 (Mass duringthe Night)

The Greatest Gift

Christmas Family Mass 2023

Let’s try something a bit different today. This is a bit more of a stream of consciousness and not as ‘polished’ as I would like; so bear with me!

 Last night I preached at our St. Joseph Parish Christma Eve family Mass. I gathered together all the little ones in the pews, and we processed over the Manger scene near the altar.  Then I asked them – tell me what you see!!  Donkeys, cows, straw, a manger, sheep, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and the baby Jesus.  Great!  Good job!

And then we talked about Christmas morning.  What are you hoping to find under the tree?  Are you excited?  Nervous?  Just can’t wait for the morning to come?  Is there any specific gift you are so hoping for?

Another question!  Is there any gift under the tree that you just can’t wait for someone else to open?  Is there a special gift you spent a lot of time and effort to get for that special person in your life – Mom, Dad, brother or sister?  What makes you more excited – the gift you hope to get or the one you are giving??

Last question – when you were looking at the manger scene, did you notice anything that was missing?  ANSWER!  Where are all the gifts?  It’s Jesus’ birthday!  Where are all the presents?  The 3 Wise Men will be coming in a few days with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  But right now there aren’t any presents.  So if you could, what gift would you leave for Jesus today on His birthday???  A toy?  Baby clothes?  Baby bottle or blanket or diapers?  Maybe the best gift we can give Jesus is ourselves!  To be as loving and kind to others as He is to us!

And then I spoke to the rest of the congregation.  Years ago, I remember another special gift – that day when our daughter Jaime was born.  I remember being in the delivery room with Ginger and holding that little bundle of joy in my arms moments after she came into the world!  Such an awesome moment, such an indescribable moment!  It literally took my breath away – this little baby nestled in my arms for the first time!  And all the hopes and dreams that came flooding into my heart for the life to come!  Needless to say, she has not disappointed.

I am sure many of us have had that same unbelievable experience of holding a newborn baby in our arms!  And it makes me wonder today – what was it like for Mary and for Joseph to hold that baby Jesus in their arms for the first time! After Mary’s visitation with her cousin Elizabeth.  After the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary and to Joseph!  Can you imagine the joy of that moment??  Holding the Christ, the Savior of the world in their arms!1

And yet we don’t really have to just imagine it!  Think about it!  Every time we process up for Communion, we hold Jesus in our hands! Not just a piece of bread or a sip of wine!  Jesus!  We hold Him in our hands!

We talk so much about gifts today – what are we getting, what are we giving, best gift ever, that sort of thing.  But in the end, there really is only one gift – the greatest gift – Jesus Himself!  And that is what we celebrate today!  May you and your family enjoy a blessed and peaceful Christmas!