Reflection for December 25

Luke 2:1-14

My friends, a Merry Christmas to you!

The Scriptures used in our Liturgy today are so life-giving.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘€β„Žπ‘œ π‘€π‘Žπ‘™π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘˜π‘›π‘’π‘ π‘  β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘’ 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ πΏπ‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ (Is 9:1).

π‘‡π‘œπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦ 𝑖𝑠 π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π‘‘π‘œ 𝑒𝑠 π‘Ž π‘†π‘Žπ‘£π‘–π‘œπ‘Ÿ, πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ πΏπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ (Lk 2:11).

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙 π‘ π‘Žπ‘–π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘š, π‘‘π‘œ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ 𝑏𝑒 π‘Žπ‘“π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘‘, 𝐼 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘–π‘š 𝑛𝑒𝑀𝑠 π‘œπ‘“ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ π½π‘œπ‘¦! (Lk 2:6)

The above truths of today’s Celebration lead us to a deeper appreciation of this Christmas 2024. We live in a very divided world; we need this Feast more than ever. We need to reflect on Light and Goodness and the Presence of a living God within us. Because of this great Feast, the way we live makes a difference in our world today.

During the Season of Advent, we have been thinking of a time that is old, but always new. This Advent, this Christmas, is a time that is new to us. Because of the Light of Christ, we decorate and light up our homes and places of work... β€œπ΄ π‘†π‘Žπ‘£π‘–π‘œπ‘Ÿ 𝑖𝑠 π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π‘‘π‘œ 𝑒𝑠…” β€œπ‘Šπ‘’ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘’ 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛 π‘Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ πΏπ‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘...” We talk about the joy in our lives!

Our Christmas table, surrounded by the ones we love, is set with the greatest of care. Special silverware. Plates and glasses used only once a year embrace beautiful food and friendship. You and I celebrate this together. It is Christmas Day!

Our families gather from far and wide. We are glad to be together. We give thanks for this Great Feast.

We need this Day more than ever!

Merry Christmas and with much love,

Fr. Terry Kristofak, C.P.

Caelie Flanagan