Christmas Day – Mass during the Day
Isa 52:7-10
Heb 1:1-6
Jn 1:1-18
“The Word was the true light, that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world.”
Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters!
I love Christmas. As a child, it was because of all the presents I used to receive, and the festive feasting at family get-togethers. As I grew older, while I still enjoy the festive family get-togethers, it is because of the significance of this day for us Christians. It is the day we commemorate our Saviour’s birth. It is the celebration of God’s love for us, that he sent his only Son to be with us in the flesh and to be our Redeemer, to save us in spite of our sinfulness, so that we might one day be reunited with Him in Heaven, as he had intended for us to be from the very beginning. There is no greater reason for rejoicing and celebration.
I tend to make a big deal of birthdays. I celebrate the birthdays of my loved ones and friends (and even my own) with relish. I usually take the time to plan for them, to make it special for the birthday celebrant.
Today, the birthday celebrant is Jesus. In the past years, this would mean more intentional preparation during Advent — physically putting in more time for prayer, daily mass and attending retreats, and spiritually preparing my mind and heart for Jesus’ coming at Christmas. This year, I feel like I hardly had any time to plan for it. It did not help that there was only three full weeks of Advent this year, since the 4th week of Advent, which started yesterday, was but a day.
I have just started a new job in October, and am still adjusting to my new routine, with its long commute daily and a steep learning curve that is to be expected of a new job in a new sector. I have also started on a 4-month marathon training plan, to prepare for a race in March. Trying to fit a few days of training each week into my already packed schedule at work and serving in church has been physically exhausting. My intention to spend more time in prayer fell by the wayside. I wanted to await with eager anticipation to celebrate this day, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, with joy and hope. But on most days, I felt like I was just crumbling under the weight of my to-do list. It was hard to see the light amidst all that I was doing.
Two weeks ago, the Sunday gospel (Mark 1:1-8) was about John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord. John the Baptist was razor-focused on his mission — preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was not distracted by his day-to-day living — what to wear or eat, nor was he concerned about his followers leaving him because he professed that someone more powerful than he was coming. Rather, everything he did was leading to Jesus. Jesus was THE reason. If only I can be as single-minded and resolute in my paving the way for the Lord’s coming.
Advent is over. It is now Christmas Day. “The true light that enlightens all men” has come. I have been so distracted and pulled in many different directions in my preparation for Jesus’ coming up to this day, I am not quite ready for Him. But I am determined to set aside all distractions to make room for Him today, to have a meaningful celebration and to savour the joy of the season. He is after all, THE reason for the season.
Brothers and sisters, is Jesus at the heart of your Christmas celebrations today?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)
Prayer: Lord, please help us to remember that you are the reason for this day, for this season, for every moment in our lives. Please help us to always make room for you in our hearts, to be open to your guiding light, so that we can be light for others.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for your coming to Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago, and for your coming into our hearts in this time and place.
OXYGEN 
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