2025-12-24 6:00pm Celebration of the Vigil Mass of The Solemnity of the Nativity of The Lord.

Good afternoon and welcome to the celebration of the Vigil Mass of The Solemnity of the Nativity of The Lord. Our Gospel today (Luke 2:1-16) is a foundational passage for the Christian understanding of Christmas, emphasizing God's humility, the universal offer of salvation, and the active responses of faith, wonder, and proclamation from ordinary people. Key Themes for Reflection The Contrast of Power and Humility: The narrative opens with a decree from the powerful Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, who saw himself as a "savior" and "prince of peace". Yet, the true Savior's birth occurs in obscurity, in the small town of Bethlehem, where he is laid in a humble feeding trough (manger) because there was "no place in the guest room". This highlights that God's kingdom operates differently from human empires, using the weak and foolish things of the world to display His glory. Good News for All People, Announced to the Outcast: The angelic announcement of "good news of great joy for all the people" is made not to the religious elite or the powerful in Jerusalem, but to shepherds, who were considered social outcasts at the time. This signifies that Jesus's message of peace and salvation is inclusive, available to everyone regardless of social status, wealth, or background. The Significance of the Titles: The angel identifies the baby with three crucial titles: Savior, Messiah (Christ), and Lord. These titles affirm Jesus's divine identity and purpose: Savior: He comes to rescue and deliver people from their sins. Messiah/Christ: He is the Anointed One, the long-awaited King of Israel, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Lord: He is God himself, to whom all authority belongs, calling for our allegiance and obedience. Response: Haste, Wonder, and Pondering: The human responses in the passage offer models of faith: The Shepherds' Haste and Proclamation: Upon hearing the message, the shepherds do not hesitate; they go "with haste" to confirm what they were told, then immediately make the news known to everyone they encounter. Their response is one of immediate action, glorifying and praising God. Mary's Pondering Heart: Mary's reaction is presented differently; she "treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart". This highlights a posture of quiet reflection, seeking to understand the deep meaning of God's work in her life over time. Personal Application The reflection for today can center on our own response to the Christmas story: Do we, like Mary, take time to pause, reflect, and treasure God's action in our lives, even amidst the busyness and chaos of the world? Are we, like the shepherds, so moved by the good news that we are compelled to share the hope of Christ with others? Do we recognize Jesus as the true source of peace and salvation, putting the "government" of our lives on His shoulders rather than trusting in the fleeting powers of the world? Our responsorial Psalm today is Psalm 96: Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.