CHRISTMAS READING REFLECTIONS:

December 25, 2007
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) solemnity, holy day of obligation


READING 1: Isaiah 52:7-10
Reading 1 Reflection:

Is there anyone who would be more welcome at your door on Christmas morning than a messenger who had come to tell you that your fondest dream had come true? Whatever the messenger looked like, he or she would look beautiful to you!

That's the way it was for the prophet when he looked ahead to the great day of Israel's salvation. The best news God's people could possibly receive was that God would lead them home out of captivity. And through them, God would be honored as King of all the nations. At the very thought of that day, the people clapped and shouted and sang for joy.


Discussion Questions for Reading 1:

When we read the Scriptures, we must always remember that this is the word of God for us today. In the tradition of the Church, the city of Jerusalem (or Zion) means God's people, the Church itself, US. Knowing this, now when you hear or read, "The Lord is restoring Zion," what do you think? When you hear or read, "Break out in song, O ruins of Jerusalem," what do you think or feel? What is the messenger's message to you this Christmas Day?

READING 2:Hebrews 1:1-6
Reading 2 Reflection:

How beautiful and powerful is God's word to us! This reading proclaims that God has spoken to us through the Son of God. Jesus is the Word of God. He has saved us from sin and death. He lives and breathes in us. Let all the angels and all created beings worship him!

Discussion Questions for Reading 2:

You may have heard these sayings: "Actions speak louder than words" and "Your actions are speaking so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying." God knew that the time for words alone was over. He decided to act, to send the Word himself, his Son.

(Someone once said, "Love is a verb." "a verb is an action word?perhaps we can say today, of all days, "Jesus is THE verb!?THE action Word, love in action!)

When someone's actions match his or her words, we say that person has integrity. We can depend on them. When they say something, they will do it. Do you know someone like this? How can you become a person of integrity? Christmas Day is a good time to thank God for sending his Son, and also for sending persons of integrity into our lives. How will you thank God today? How will you thank the people in your life that you can depend on?

Gospel: John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
Gospel Reflection:

The Word of God has come into the world. He is light and life, grace and truth. In the flesh of a tiny baby, God gives us his very Self. Jesus makes his home with us who accept him and embrace him as the Son of God. Christmas is a call to accept Jesus fully, and in accepting him, accepting all of God's children. When we excitedly say at Christmas, "Here comes Jesus!" what we are really saying then is, "Here comes everybody!"

Discussion Questions for Gospel:

How will you help make Jesus feel "at home" in your Christmas celebrations? How will you welcome him in the tiny baby, the excited child, those near and dear, those in sorrow or pain, the guest, the neighbor who may be alone, the inconvenient or unexpected happenings, the "black sheep" of the family? How will you remind yourself and others of the presence of Jesus in our midst this day? How will you keep Jesus at the center of your celebration?