Commentary: Wayback Machine.
Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Night
The Book of Isaiah, chapter nine, verses one thru six;
Psalm Ninety-six, verses one & two, two & three, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
The Letter to Titus, chapter two, verses eleven thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses one thru fourteen.
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Dawn
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-two, verses eleven & twelve;
Psalm Ninety-seven, verses one, six, & eleven & twelve;
The Letter to Titus, chapter three, verses four thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses fifteen thru twenty.
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Day
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, two & three, three & four, & five & six;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter one, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses one thru eighteen
(or, the Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses one thru five & nine thru fourteen).
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Christmas day Gospel focuses on the Word made flesh. Ancient Jewish thought found all sorts of sophisticated ways to say that God was active in the world without ceasing to be transcendent over it. Above all, they spoke of God’s holy Word, a Word by which all things were made.Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Now listen to the Prologue to John’s Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word…" He’s writing a new Genesis—and he is drawing our attention to this word of God, this powerful, musical breath of God that makes and governs the universe and speaks through the prophets, this Word that is the same as God.
And this Word became flesh. The Greek term means "pitched his tent among us," the very phrase used of God’s Wisdom inhabiting the Temple in Jerusalem. "And we saw his glory…and he was full of grace and truth." Glory, for he is beautiful to look on; truth, for he is the new Law. All the ways that the Old Testament spoke of God’s involvement with the world come together in this description of Jesus Christ. He is the powerful Word that will not return without accomplishing his purpose.
Saint Quote o' the Day
"The secret of everything is to let oneself be carried by God & so to carry Him to others."A Humble Contribution to the New Evangelization
—Pope St. John XXIII (11 October)
The Popish Plot—Bonus Episode: "Jokes with Santa"
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