Christmas
Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It is the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief,God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel (God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar.
The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him.
t is our Church prayer that in the Christmas season, the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist may strengthen the faithful so that all people will be confirmed in the Joy of the Gospel which is echoed in the song of the angels each Christmas... "Rejoice a Saviour has been born for us"!
May our humble witness of faith and service be the joyous gift we give to others during the Christmas Season.
Join with your parish to celebrate the Christmas Season.