Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful gift that we celebrate this evening. The gift that we celebrate is the gift of Christ who is the Word made Flesh. Christ who was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was laid in a manger. A little later we will come to celebrate the Eucharist which is the same God that we venerate in the manger. The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ our Lord.
This word “Christmas” has two important meanings. Firstly, we have “Christ.” With that there are many campaigns which remind of the necessity to keep Christ in Christmas. Secondly, we have the “Mass.” Sadly, many deprive themself of this reality and instead only frequent the Mass on Christmas and Easter. To think of all that a soul deprives themself of when they do not assist at the Mass on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.
In her diary Saint Faustina writes of the Mass: “Oh, what awesome mysteries take place during Mass! A great mystery is accomplished in the Holy Mass. With what great devotion should we listen to and take part in this death of Jesus. One day we will know what God is doing for us in each Mass, and what sort of gift He is preparing in it for us. Only His divine love could permit that such a gift be provided for us.”
Pope Paul VI stated of the Mass and the Eucharist: “The unique and indivisible existence of the lord, glorious in heaven is rendered present by the sacrament in the many places on earth where the Mass is celebrated. And this existence remains present after the sacrifice of the Mass in the Blessed Sacrament, which is, in the tabernacle, the living heart of each of our churches. And it is our very sweet duty to honor and adore in the blessed Host which our eyes see, the Incarnate Word whole they cannot see, and who, without leaving heaven, is made present for us.”
I hope that we see the beauty that takes place for us here as we celebrate the Mass especially on this Christmas evening. God’s love for us is so great that He dwells with us not only in the little town of Bethlehem, but continues to dwell with us here out of love in the Most Holy Eucharist.
This night is said to be one of peace, but I know that our world continues to be troubled. The more that we move away from Christ the more we will be troubled. Let us set out sight upon our Lord and allow Him to be the one who ushers peace into our life. With that let us frequent the Mass and leave all of our troubles and needs here to hand to the Lord. With that let us grow in our devotion and love for the Eucharist for here we come to allow our heart to be centered upon Christ.
As was stated by Pope Leo XIII: “In the Eucharist alone are contained in a remarkable richness and a variety of miracles all supernatural realities.” With this let us think of the many graces which come to us in the course of the Mass especially as we come to behold and receive our Lord present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist. Let us continue to dwell here with our Lord for this is the same Lord who was laid in the manger in Bethlehem to whom we now flock to adore. Let us continue to keep Christ not only in Christmas, but in our daily life. May we not forget about the Mass and the graces contained herein.
