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Father talked about us as little Bethlehems, how we each prepare to receive Him.
Before the TLM midnight Mass, the martyrology was read in English for December 25. It is a shame I have never heard it before at midnight EO Mass, that string of precise numbers really has an effect.
The sermon itself, after a little explanation of the traditional meaning of the triple-celebration of Mass for the threefold birth of Christ was on the theme of the light of Christ lighting the darkness, with an aside about the rage of the demons and their earthly followers at anything having to do with Christmas.
I went to a different parish from my usual and was so glad. There was none of that tizzy-Christmassy happy-clappy stuff. We even sang proper carols! A beautiful and reverent N.O. Mass such as I’ve never seen before. The assistant priest who is only 28 years old, and says the TLM monthly at another parish, chanted the Christmas proclamation before Mass. I have never heard it before. And there was incense and bells, which I have not seen in a Church since forever. The homily was solid, we’re here to adore Christ’s birth but he is always here to meet us every week. Never imposing himself on anyone but always gently inviting us to accept his as our Lord and Saviour. I admit I shed a couple of tears of joy throughout Mass.
My homily was an exploration of the stunning statement of St. Athanasius (and others): “God became man so that men might become God.”
FYI, two of our four Christmas Masses in this parish were ad orientem, and so they shall be from here on out; it has been very well received. Both “high” Masses in the ordinary form, with lots of incense and chant and altar boys showing great reverence.
Visited a new church with my girlfriend’s family and was pleasantly surprised by a very young priest in fiddleback (in a not-so traditional diocese that has been in the news a lot recently) who gave a well-composed homily hitting on the core of the Christmas message. He began by admitting that he’s never been a dog person and told a story of the first time he really loved a dog was when he had to take care of a priest friends sick dog and the act of caring for it grew into love even though it was in a miserable state. He used the anecdote to transition towards Christ, who chose to become man to be with us because he loves us and cares for us even in our miserable fallen state. So much so that he is born into it himself, as a helpless child scored by society, lived it as a man hated by the authorities, and died in agony on the cross. And of course, transcended and transformed all of it by rising from the dead!
God, always existing unchanging and perfect, did not have a destiny until He was incarnate. Then He, the second person, had a destiny. He could be what God could otherwise not be, vulnerable. So God did the impossible by becoming incarnate, as only God can. This meant He could hurt, ache, suffer. And so even after His death, resurrection, and ascension, He is still vulnerable, coming again to us in the mass, and yearning with heartache for our love and friendship as only one who is vulnerable can. He does this through His infinite Glory because He does it for another, never for himself.
Our Monsignor of the Anglican Ordinariate preached on the hidden Christmas story found in the Book of Revelation in the narrative of the Woman and the Dragon, and how it underlies the Nativity narratives of the Gospels. Mary and Joseph’s tribulations–the journey to Bethlehem in the ninth month of pregnancy, the lack of appropriate accommodation in Bethlehem, the Flight into Egypt, and the Slaughter of the Innocents–are all manifestations of the anger of the ancient serpent against the Woman and her Offspring, the same anger that we battle against in modern times.
Midnight Mass at the cathedral. The rector of the cathedral chanted the Christmas proclamation in English before Mass began. No one in my family had ever heard it before — we all looked it up on our phones after Mass! It was neat.
The homily was about welcoming Jesus into our hearts, making room for Him, not turning Him away as the innkeepers turned away Joseph and Mary.
No homily as it was an early Low Mass, 2nd Mass with Station at St Anastasia. Fr has been priest for over fifty years. Kneeling is hard for him. His efforts are a sermon by itself.
Father always gives a poignant, thoughtful, intricate and beautiful homily….which I always understand and am enriched by….I try to remember exactly what is said, but inevitably fail. It encompassed the theme of the Word being spoken with references to doctors of the Church and scripture. But what was particularly lovely at this Novus Ordo Chistmas Day Mass was the mention that we should genuflect, rather than bow today during the creed.
Hurray!
The whole Church kneeling in reverence at the mention of the incarnation ~ Beautiful!
Went to the morning Mass at my mom’s parish with my brothers, my mom, and their families. Father had been up most of the night, and still did an excellent job talking about the power and vulnerability of a baby. The birth of Jesus was highlighted, and how babies cannot survive on their own, and need family to feed them, care for them, change them, etc. Father also discussed how Herod was cruel to children.
The birth of Jesus changed the world.
Mass ran an hour and twenty minutes, I noticed no complaints. Father also used the Roman Cannon, and asked those present at the short announcements to center on Jesus when opening gifts. Thank you Father.