Christmas Masses

O Holy Child, pray for us!

Out of the Christmas Readings, of the Fathers and Authors, I found the two most challenging from Fr. E. La Verdiere SSS in the Glenstal Bible Mass.

After the very full Christmas Day there will be time to follow Fr. Verdiere.s references.

Christmas Day Dawn Mass

Gospel Luke 2:15-20

SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYER

Biblical references: Salvation foretold (Is 35; 41:17-20; 43:16-21; 65:17-25); Messianic psalms (Pss 2; 24; 89; 110; 132).

The description of Jesus' actual birth (Luke 2:6-7) must be read in light of 2: 1- 5. Set in the vastness of imperial Rome and in the biblical context of the royal house of David, Jesus' birth is that of a poor man, a simple and humble event which contrasts with the political world about him. Consequently, Jesus' messianic royalty has nothing to do with wordly aspirations and ways of ruling (see 22:24-27).

What is true of Jesus is also true of his disciples and the Church. Clearly affirmed in 22:24-27, this relationship is also inscribed in 2:7, which refers to Mary's 'first-born son' (prototokos). The designation 'first born son', pre­pares the reader for Jesus' presentation to the Lord as the first-born in 2:22-24. However, unlike the term 'only son' (monogenes, 7:12), it also leaves open the possibility and may actually imply that Mary had further children. This possibility may be excluded as a biological fact, but not as a theological statement. Mary would have further children, namely all who would come to be associated with her son after the passion-resurrection. In Lukan terms this is most clearly stated in the narrative of Paul's conversion: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' (Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14). In Acts 1:14, Mary herself is expressly singled out in the community of those who continued to give historical expression to the life of her son. The designation 'first-born son' is thus a statement about Jesus' relationship to his future followers. (E. La Verdiere SSS, Luke, New Testament Message 5, p.31)

Christmas Day Mass During the Day

Gospel John 1:1-18

SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYER

Biblical references: Ps 19: 1-6; Ps 72; John's teaching on love (1 Jn 4:7-5:4); Paul's teaching on salvation and peace (Rom 5:1-11; Phil 4:4-9; CoI1:13-23).

Jesus had been announced to the shepherds as a: Saviour, Christ the Lord (Luke 2: 10-11). They had been given a sign, namely that they would find the Lord 'wrapped inswaddling clothes and lying in a manger' (2:12; see ,2: 7). This they had verified (2: 16) and the wonderment sprang precisely from the contrast between the Saviour's lordship and the humble circumstances of his birth. For the shepherds, the announcement and the event were truly good news, and they responded by glorifying and praising God (2:20). Christ the Lord was part of their world. Humbly born, he was a Saviour for the humble (see 1 :46-55), those with whom God was pleased (2: 14).

Luke's main point, which links God's glory in the highest with peace on earth for the humble (2: 14) would have been lost had the passage merely raised the matter of Jesus' identity. The narrative called for a manifestation of Jesus' life and mission, a statement which would anticipate the actual unfolding of the implications of his name.

(E. La Verdiere SSS, Luke, New Testament Message 5, p.32)