Merry Christmas!

​Merry Christmas!

If we look at our life, waiting is part of our daily life. A Mom waits nine months to give birth. Father and the rest of the family and friends patiently wait and prepare for that joy filled moment. We were waiting and preparing for Christmas in hope, peace, joy, and love.

For Christmas, all of the first readings are from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah repeats the promise of the coming of the Messiah. The second half of Isaiah shaped the early Christian belief that the mother of Jesus not only conceived him as a virgin, but gave birth as virgin - a miraculous childbirth that was free from labor and pain. We read in Isaiah, “Before she is in labor, she gives birth; Before her pain comes upon her, she        delivers a male child. Who ever heard of such a thing, or whoever saw the like? Can a land be brought forth in one day, or a nation be born in a single moment? Yet Zion was scarcely in labor when she bore her                children” (66:7-8).

The first reading for Christmas Eve and Dawn are from Isaiah 62. Isaiah uses the imagery to describe the conversion of Israel from gloom to joy. The prophet tells them that their God is a saving God who extends his redemption to Holy City. The incarnation represents the marriage of divine and human nature. This       passage expresses the joy of the bridal people of God at the arrival of Christ, our Bridegroom.

The first reading for Christmas midnight is from the book of Isaiah (9:1-6). Isaiah says that
people who walked in the darkness, oppressed by Assyria, eventually will see the light and
restoration of Israel. Prophets brought hope to the people of the Israelites, but prophecy fulfilled in
the birth of Emmanuel, God is with us. We read in the Gospel of Matthew 4:16, “The people
who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,
light has arisen.” Isaiah says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder
dominion rests” (9:5). There were many titles for the baby, Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace.

Gospel readings are from Matthew, Luke and John. On Christmas Eve Mass, we read the genealogy of    Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel gives importance to Joseph, his lineage and          obedience. The Davidic descendant of Joseph shows the legal and natural. Jesus’ descendant of Abraham and David is not just a physical aspect of it, but God's supernatural works. On the other hand Luke          emphasizes the role of Mary. How she listens to the message from the angel, obeyed, sharing that joy with her cousin Sarah and so on. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, they were looking for a place. Mary accepts the manger to give birth.

This Christmas again God is looking for the hearts to be born. Let us invite him into our hearts, homes, into our parish, and every aspect of our life. Listen to Him…!! Don’t miss Him!! I pray that each of us find Him at this Christmas and watch his smile, listen to his whispering and experience his love, forgiveness and  healing. And again, let us wait together with Child Jesus in our hearts for the New Year 2022. Christmas is not just on December 25th, but it should happen every day of our life.

THANK YOU! I would like to express gratitude for so many people thinking of me in the Christmas      season, sending cards, gifts, bringing goodies and so on. It is much appreciated. Normally, I used to write to everyone, but now it is so busy and I didn’t get a chance to write to you. Thank you everyone, I keep you all in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.