As I attended Christmas Eve mass with my family yesterday, our parish church was full. There were also with parishioners standing in the back. It is wonderful to see so many out on a cold winter day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit around me as we sang Christmas Carols. I can’t hit the high notes anymore and I’m sure I was out of tune, but in my mind’s eye, my voice was angelic in God’s ears.
This is the essence and beauty of Christmas Day. Rejoice, rejoice! Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Just as in Mary’s Song , she rejoices in the presence of God, and humbly accepts her fate to be the vessel for Jesus.
Luke1:46-55
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
46 And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
51 He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:
55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
The story of the Holy Family’s journey is a humble one of struggles and challenges overcome because of the guidance of God’s hand. The depth of their trust in Him as they travelled to Bethlehem and then Egypt. God providing the shelter, not in a palace, but in the most humble abode.
Luke 2: 4:35
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,
5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.
9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.
10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:
11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.
15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.
16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.
18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
After each confessional , Father Alain Vaillancourt tells me to pray for those who don’t know Jesus. Through my prayers lifted up high, I pray they come to know Jesus.
Let the joy within us radiate and resonate outward.
Rejoice, rejoice as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. May his light within each of us shine outward into the dark crevices of our world. It is the joy within us that touches the heart of another as we share the story of Jesus Christ, our saviour.
God Bless my readers. May the hand of God protect them no matter what part of the world they are from.
I pray that we share the light within us with another. May the people we meet come to know the story of Jesus and his humble birth. May they know Jesus Christ as their Saviour and bridge to God the Father.
🙏💕
Be Inspired! 
Leave a comment