"Christmas is an event which is renewed in every family, parish and community which receives the love of God made incarnate in Jesus Christ. Like Mary, the Church shows to everyone the "sign" of God: the Child whom she bore in her womb and to whom she gave birth, yet who is the Son of the Most High, since he "is of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 1:20). 

— Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi Message, December 25, 2015

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter. 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 ... including the fact that he was born to die for us.

The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. It is also traditional to exchange Christmas gifts with family and friends as a way to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones.

— Source: USCCB.org

The Whole World Becomes Different at Christmas

The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in suburban Mexico City is the most visited Marian shrine in the world.  Millions of people pass through the Basilica’s doors each year, especially as the December 12 feast day approaches.

This year, three dozen of the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton — bishop, priests and laity on pilgrimage — were counted among that number during the first week of Advent.  The experience was deeply moving and profoundly spiritual as we celebrated Mass in this holy place, where the cloak or “tilma” of St. Juan Diego miraculously bearing the image of the “Virgen de Guadalupe” was displayed near the crucifix above the main altar. 

A native Mexican Indian, Juan Diego was privileged with four apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary In 1531.  In her conversations with Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe attempted to calm his fears with questions that were, at the same time, a revelation of her identity: “Am I not here, your Mother?  Are you not under my protection?”

Those questions linger in my mind as the great celebration of Christmas approaches. The Infant Jesus born in Bethlehem that first Christmas Day was held in the gentle, careful embrace of his Mother Mary. I can imagine her whispering into the Newborn’s tiny ears, “I am here, your Mother.  I will protect you." [Continue reading ...]