Solemnity of Christmas (A)

(Edited for 12/25/2025) Reflection (from) Christmas Mass for the Day (B), December 25, 2011

Author's note: The Liturgical readings for Christmas Mass for the Day is the same for all liturgical cycles: Year A, B, & C

Liturgical readings
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

Modern man has lost his rootedness in a past that was deeply religious in context. This is perhaps the reason why many have also lost the depth of listening that is a prerequisite for focusing on what truly matters in life. If one were to review the writings of great spiritual writers, one will discover a depth of understanding not often found in a modern world filled with distractions that limit our senses to surface realities.

In a sermon for Christmas, St. Bernard (a Cistercian abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux in the beginning of the 2nd millenium), describes the mystery of Christmas as follows:

"A little child has been given to us, but in Him dwells all the fullness of a divine nature...the smaller He became through His human nature the greater was His goodness; the more He lowered Himself for us, the dearer He is to us."

What can humble some human minds is the challenge to have faith in this little child, who has that fullness of divinity which contains the Wisdom of God - a Wisdom not only for the known universe that everyone knows, but also for what is unknown. In a little child, the hope of humanity is borne in the lowliness of a baby, born of a simple maiden from Nazareth.

Looking at the traditional Christmas crèche, and taking time to contemplate how God-became-flesh-in-Jesus, can fill any soul with a hope not like any hope found in the other liturgical seasons of the Catholic faith. As present external circumstances appear to be heading towards negativity and a downtrend often presented in a lot of news, the mystery of hope and joy which the Christ-Child presents every Christmas to all the faithful, is enough to dispel any form of discouragement or sorrow one may have encountered in the difficulties of life this year. And it gives all a source of hope for a future that all seek sincerely and anticipate. This hope for a future within the deepest desire of the human heart is now found in the Christmas spirit of the Eucharist itself. And it is magnified with the knowledge that the Spirit of God is present in all who receive this hope in the Eucharist in every corner of the world. The Eucharist brings that Christmas hope to every heart until it overflows and benefits others as well.

It has been two millenia since that mystery of the Word-became-flesh quietly entered human history in a small town in Bethlehem. This Spirit of the Word-became-flesh from then on continued to be poured out all over the nations through the zeal of the apostles and their followers. Even to this day, it continues to be poured out to all humanity through the Church, and all its baptized members of every culture and race. Though there are still others who may not as yet see the light of the truth of the mystery of the Incarnation, every faithful soul knows by heart, that the spirit of joy and hope which the poor Bethlehem scene brings, can still, and can continue to inspire a world in need of this Christmas spirit until the end of the world. It is the task therefore of every baptized Catholic not only to remain in this Christmas hope, but to bring it to others in the very circumstances of each one's respective work and state of life. Since the spirit of Christmas is strong and vibrant, there are no words necessary to extend the joy and the hope of the season to others. A

• kind gesture,
• a smile,
• a helping hand,
• a small contribution,
• giving one's time to listen,
• to reply,
• to thank,
• to chat,

is already an extension of the Word-made-flesh in deed.