WHAT DO WE CELEBRATE THIS CHRISTMAS DAY
At Christmas, the God-man, Jesus, enters into human history, humbling himself taking on human nature that we might share in His divine nature now through grace, and forever in heaven face to face with God for all eternity.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. John 1:1-3
In time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God… Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High Luke 1:26-27
 THE GREATEST EXCHANGE OF GIFTS
At Bethlehem, humanity sees not only God-Made flesh but also receives an invitation to become God-like. God offers to make men and women by grace what Jesus Christ is by nature,
In exchange for the humanity Jesus takes, the Incarnate Word gives us a share in his divinity.  God is born in time so we can be reborn in eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of Man so men and women can become children of the one same Father in heaven.
REFLECTION
PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU
 The night the Christ Child was born, there was no room in the Inn….Is there room in my heart for the Christ Child…
 Shepherds came and saw, then worshiped and spread the Good News…do I spread the Good News… or Do I hide my light under a bushel
 Mary pondered all these mysteries in her heart…do I ponder the birth of Jesus in my heart…
 Do I ponder other mysteries…
PRAYER
God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word, that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees;Â O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!