Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! The Word Made Flesh!
Introduction
When God wanted to show himself as he is in a way we could understand, he became human, one of us, appearing with the face of a child. He showed himself in all our fragility, as if saying: Do you see now that I am near to you, that I am with you not to overpower you but with the face of peace and love and trust? Let us welcome with joy the Lord who comes to live among us and to join us on the journey of life. Now we can become more like God.
!st Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
Rejoice, for the Lord is consoling his people How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is king!’ Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together, for they see the Lord face to face, as he returns to Zion. Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord is consoling his people, redeeming Jerusalem. The Lord bares his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97(98):1-6
(R.) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders. 
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation. R.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy. R.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp
with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
acclaim the King, the Lord. R.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6
God has spoken to us through his Son At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name. God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father; or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-Born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!
A hallowed day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, worship the Lord,
for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:1-18
The Word was made flesh, and lived among us In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’ Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Commentary
You might not expect any negative talk on Christmas day; and yet, a brief look at the world indicates that things are not going well.
Most of the time relationships among people might break down because people don’t keep their promises. This creates conflict and division that, as they escalate and become more and more entangled, can result in family breakdown, work conflicts, or even in war; and on Christmas day, we really want to talk about peace.
My mom used to say that once you have given your word, you cannot take it back. It is equivalent to surrendering your own honor. Even an offer, an invitation, an affirmation, which are not strictly promises, cannot be withdrawn. We don’t need to sign a contract for this. The word given is extremely important and binding; and yet, we see today that many people do not feel tied by their own words. Faithfulness is promised in marriage and then easily broken; assurances are made at work and then not fulfilled; children are presented with family rules and at times even the parents break them.
That is not the case with God. God has just one word that he will never change or withdraw. The Word of God made flesh is the best news we could have and the only one we can fully believe. The Word of God is Jesus and it is a constant yes which never withdraws; never leaves a promised unfulfilled, never lies. The living Word that is Jesus born today can make all our words good. The Word of God is faithfulness, it does not change from one day to the next. It is good news promising salvation.
What does salvation mean for us? Someone told me once that her life was saved in a serious accident. It was impressive and strong and yet, not half as impressive and strong as the salvation brought about by the Word of God, which implies salvation from everything that ties us down, from all our lies and the lies of others. It is the best news, the one that makes all things new and the only one of which we can be sure—the only one we can fully trust. That is, truly, what we celebrate at Christmas, the coming to the world of an incarnate God who is always a yes. He is our salvation and he is our only chance for peace.
Blessing
Our hearts can sing tonight with joy
of God’s love for us, his people.
With Mary we can sing her song of thanksgiving:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has done great things for us.”
Yes, we remember on Christmas
that his Son Jesus has become one of us.
He is here as our companion in life.
He lifts up the wounded,
and he shows us in himself
that God loves us very deeply
and will never abandon us.
With joy we receive the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
GO IN PEACE AND AGAIN
A HOLY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU.
R/ THANKS BE TO GOD.
Happy Christmas to you ALL!