Podcasts about lord christmas

Homily from The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) What if all I received was HIM this Christmas? We have waited for Jesus—and now that He is here, true gratitude is shown by living fully in the gift of His presence and love. Mass Readings from December 25, 2025:Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Read OnlineWhile 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. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the Night)A loving mother and father who experience the birth of their first child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene. Though great mystery surrounds Jesus' conception within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly her Son. Saint Joseph, knowing he was not this Child's biological father, made a profound act of faith by accepting that fatherly responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel of the Lord. Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph's commitment to being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving and devoted father would make. As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the humility with which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a place where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their home to register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might conclude that the physical environment, most likely a cave, was unfortunate. However, we can be certain that this humble and poor setting was part of God's divine plan, adding to the glory of that night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to reveal to us the true greatness of love.The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a feeding trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus' birth. No glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love. The love in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of Saint Joseph, and the Incarnate presence of the Son of God were everything needed to make that night glorious.One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is that the beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not dependent upon how much money or how many material possessions we have, but rather on the purity of our love. The Holy Family's hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not because of their surroundings, but because of their intimate union with God in the person of Jesus Christ.The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty sheds light on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace of God. The Holy Family's witness reveals to us that when we place our hearts in God's hands, we will be filled with all we need. Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble scene. As you do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing, and He was adored with the greatest affection of His mother and foster father. Mary and Joseph's hearts contained all that was necessary for profound gratitude and fulfillment. If you struggle with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy Family and seek to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate Lord fills you with all you need. My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Gerard van Honthorst, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

For 25 December 2025, The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), based on Isaiah 9:1-6 (Photograph by Gregory Heille, OP)

Brand New Christmas Show.   Enjoy the Music as we get closer to Christmas.

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The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). Father Dave explains how Pope Francis opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee year and said, “Christ knocks at the door of our heart to find warmth and shelter.” Father Dave reflects on baby Jesus' unexpected vulnerability, and how we need to make room in our lives for the newborn king. Preached while serving as Chaplain of a Cruise Ship on 12-25-24

Luke 2:1–20 The Birth of Jesus Christ [1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels [8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (ESV)

Homily for The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Night by Fr. Stephen Hamilton.Reading I Is 9:1-6Responsorial Psalm Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13.Reading II Ti 2:11-14Alleluia Lk 2:10-11Gospel Lk 2:1-14

Listen to Fr. Steve's homily from 12/25/24.Thanks for listening! Please leave us a rating and/or review, and share on social media or with a friend! You can email ashley@rootedinthereallyreal.com with any questions or suggestions. God bless.

Reading IIs 62:1-5    For Zion's sake I will not be silent,        for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn        and her victory like a burning torch.    Nations shall behold your vindication,        and all the kings your glory;    you shall be called by a new name        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,        a royal diadem held by your God.    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”        or your land “Desolate,”    but you shall be called “My Delight,”        and your land “Espoused.”    For the LORD delights in you        and makes your land his spouse.    As a young man marries a virgin,        your Builder shall marry you;    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride        so shall your God rejoice in you.Reading IIActs 13:16-17, 22-25When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in theland of Egypt.With uplifted arm he led them out of it.Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;of him he testified,‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;he will carry out my every wish.'From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”GospelMt 1:18-25This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet:    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,        and they shall name him Emmanuel,which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IIs 62:11-12   See, the LORD proclaims       to the ends of the earth:   say to daughter Zion,       your savior comes!   Here is his reward with him,       his recompense before him.   They shall be called the holy people,       the redeemed of the LORD,   and you shall be called “Frequented,”       a city that is not forsaken.Reading IITi 3:4-7Beloved:When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had donebut because of his mercy,He saved us through the bath of rebirthand renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he richly poured out on usthrough Jesus Christ our savior,so that we might be justified by his graceand become heirs in hope of eternal life.GospelLk 2:15-20When the angels went away from them to heaven,the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehemto see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.When they saw this,they made known the messagethat had been told them about this child.All who heard it were amazedby what had been told them by the shepherds.And Mary kept all these things,reflecting on them in her heart.Then the shepherds returned,glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IIs 9:1-6    The people who walked in darkness        have seen a great light;    upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom        a light has shone.    You have brought them abundant joy        and great rejoicing,    as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,        as people make merry when dividing spoils.    For the yoke that burdened them,        the pole on their shoulder,    and the rod of their taskmaster        you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.    For every boot that tramped in battle,        every cloak rolled in blood,        will be burned as fuel for flames.    For a child is born to us, a son is given us;        upon his shoulder dominion rests.    They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,        Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.    His dominion is vast        and forever peaceful,    from David's throne, and over his kingdom,        which he confirms and sustains    by judgment and justice,        both now and forever.    The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!Reading IITi 2:11-14Beloved:The grace of God has appeared, saving alland training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.GospelLk 2:1-14In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustusthat 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.”

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Reading IIs 52:7-10    How beautiful upon the mountains        are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,    announcing peace, bearing good news,        announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,        “Your God is King!”    Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,        together they shout for joy,    for they see directly, before their eyes,        the LORD restoring Zion.    Break out together in song,        O ruins of Jerusalem!    For the LORD comforts his people,        he redeems Jerusalem.    The LORD has bared his holy arm        in the sight of all the nations;    all the ends of the earth will behold        the salvation of our God.Reading IIHeb 1:1-6Brothers and sisters:In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways     to our ancestors through the prophets;     in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,     whom he made heir of all things     and through whom he created the universe,        who is the refulgence of his glory,            the very imprint of his being,        and who sustains all things by his mighty word.        When he had accomplished purification from sins,        he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,        as far superior to the angels        as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.For to which of the angels did God ever say:    You are my son; this day I have begotten you?Or again:    I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:    Let all the angels of God worship him.GospelJn 1:1-18    In the beginning was the Word,        and the Word was with God,        and the Word was God.    He was in the beginning with God.     All things came to be through him,        and without him nothing came to be.    What came to be through him was life,        and this life was the light of the human race;    the light shines in the darkness,        and the darkness has not overcome it.A man named John was sent from God.He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.He was not the light,but came to testify to the light.The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.    He was in the world,        and the world came to be through him,        but the world did not know him.    He came to what was his own,        but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept himhe gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.    And the Word became flesh        and made his dwelling among us,        and we saw his glory,        the glory as of the Father's only Son,        full of grace and truth.John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'”From his fullness we have all received,grace in place of grace,because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.No one has ever seen God.The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

Reading IIs 62:1-5    For Zion's sake I will not be silent,        for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn        and her victory like a burning torch.    Nations shall behold your vindication,        and all the kings your glory;    you shall be called by a new name        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,        a royal diadem held by your God.    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”        or your land “Desolate,”    but you shall be called “My Delight,”        and your land “Espoused.”    For the LORD delights in you        and makes your land his spouse.    As a young man marries a virgin,        your Builder shall marry you;    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride        so shall your God rejoice in you.Reading IIActs 13:16-17, 22-25When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in theland of Egypt.With uplifted arm he led them out of it.Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;of him he testified,‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;he will carry out my every wish.'From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”GospelMt 1:1-25The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,whose mother was Tamar.Perez became the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab.Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,Salmon the father of Boaz,whose mother was Rahab.Boaz became the father of Obed,whose mother was Ruth.Obed became the father of Jesse,Jesse the father of David the king.David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,Rehoboam the father of Abijah,Abijah the father of Asaph.Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,Joram the father of Uzziah.Uzziah became the father of Jotham,Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,Manasseh the father of Amos,Amos the father of Josiah.Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothersat the time of the Babylonian exile.After the Babylonian exile,Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.Abiud became the father of Eliakim,Eliakim the father of Azor,Azor the father of Zadok.Zadok became the father of Achim,Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar.Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.Thus the total number of generationsfrom Abraham to Davidis fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile,fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,fourteen generations. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet:    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,        and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Catholic homilies and Mass readings from St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert, Arizona

Bulletin: Christmas Day 24

Bulletin: Christmas Eve 24

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The one who has gratitude has enough. At the moment we get to stand before the Lord face to face, what will the automatic and overwhelming response be? Will it be a word of love? Of contrition? Or will it be two words that summarize everything that could be said to the God who has used everything to get us ready to stand before Him? Mass Readings from December 25, 2024: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6.Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Friends of the Rosary, Merry and Holy Christmas! Today, December 25, we celebrate with joy the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas, and the Birth of Jesus Christ, January 12. It's also the First Day in the Octave of Christmas. The Christmas season begins on the Vespers of December 24 and ends on the feast of the Baptism of Christ. Throughout Advent, the faithful have longed for the coming of our Savior. Today, we celebrate His first coming. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The Eternal Word became man to dwell among us and give us a share in the everlasting divine life. For us and our salvation, He descended upon earth. The longings of the patriarchs and prophets were finally fulfilled. With the shepherds, we hurry to the manger and adore the Incarnate Son of God. On this day, the custom of exchanging gifts recalls us that God Himself gave to us the greatest of all gifts, His beloved Son: “God so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son” (John 3: 16), as we are reading in the Gospel of John 1:1-18 today. We acknowledge that all blessings and graces come to us from Christ. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Fr. Eric's homily on The nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

What does Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer have to do with Jesus?

ROSARY - JOYFUL MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Christmas.

Readings from the Mass during the Night

Send us a Text Message and let us know how you like this podcast.Thank you for listening to this worship service from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio! For more information about Prince of Peace, please visit our website at princeofpeacedublin.org.Connect with us on facebook and instagram.Email us at office@princeofpeacedublin.org.

"The Word became flesh        and made his dwelling among us."

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Read OnlineMerry Christmas! Our Advent preparations have been completed, and we are now invited by our Lord to enter into the glorious celebration of His birth!How well do you understand the awe-inspiring mystery of Christmas? How fully do you comprehend the significance of God becoming a human, born of a virgin? Though many are quite familiar with the beautiful and humble story of the birth of the Savior of the World, that familiarity can have the surprising negative effect of keeping our intellect from deeply probing the depths of the meaning of what we celebrate.Notice the last line of the Gospel passage quoted above: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” What a beautiful line to ponder this Christmas day. Mother Mary was the one person who would have understood the mystery of the birth of her Son, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, far more deeply than anyone else. It was to her that the Archangel Gabriel appeared, announcing her pregnancy and His birth. It was her who carried her Son, the Son of God, in her Immaculate womb for nine months. It was to her that Elizabeth, her cousin, cried out, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). It was Mary who was the Immaculate Conception, the one who was preserved from all sin throughout her life. And it was her who gave birth to this Child, carried Him in her arms and nursed Him at her breast. Our Blessed Mother, more than any other, understood the incredible event that had taken place in her life. But, again, the Gospel above says that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” One thing this tells us is that even Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God, needed time to ponder, reflect and savor this most holy mystery. She never doubted, but her faith continually deepened, and her heart pondered the unfathomable and incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation.Another thing this tells us is that there is no end to the depth of the “pondering” to which we must commit ourselves if we want to enter more deeply into the mystery of the birth of the Son of God. Reading the story, setting up a nativity scene, sharing Christmas cards, attending Mass and the like are central to a holy celebration of Christmas. But “pondering” and “reflecting,” especially during prayer and especially at the Christmas Mass, will have the effect of drawing us ever deeper into this Mystery of our Faith. Reflect, today, with our Blessed Mother. Ponder the Incarnation. Place yourself into the scene that first Christmas. Hear the sounds of the town. Smell the smells of the stable. Watch as the shepherds come forth in adoration. And enter the mystery more fully, acknowledging that the more you know about the mystery of Christmas, the more you know how little you actually know and understand. But that humble realization is the first step to a deeper understanding of what we celebrate this day.Lord, I gaze at the wonder of Your birth. You Who are God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God from God and Light from Light, became one of us, a humble child, born of a virgin and laid in a manger. Help me to ponder this glorious event, to reflect upon the mystery with awe and to more fully grasp the meaning of what You have done for us. I thank You, dear Lord, for this glorious celebration of Your birth into the world. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Shepherds at the Manger, via flickr

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

The Very Reverend Serena Sides

The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" The Gospel of Matthew's carefully crafted genealogy of the Messiah is upended by divine intervention. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary.

"I proclaim to you good news of great joy: Today a Savior is born for us." We adore the infant who became our salvation. He is the Prince of Peace.

"When [the shepherds] returned home to tell everyone what they saw, all were astonished." Like the shepherds, let us return home from this morning liturgy and share the joy of Christmas with our families and friends.

"Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth." Good news! The birth of Jesus Christ brings much needed light into our world.

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The reality is that God is not a professional. He is an amateur. There are many things in life where we merely like the "idea" of that thing. The reality is another story, because the reality makes demands on us. Christmas is a reminder that we not only cannot love the "idea" of God, but that He does not merely love the idea of us. Mass Readings from December 25, 2023: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6.Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18