Introduction
The anticipation of Advent is complete — our waiting is over!
Today we celebrate the profound mystery of the Incarnation — the Word of God humbling himself to share in our humanity so that we might be lifted to share in his divinity.Our Christmas celebration unfolds through four distinct liturgies, each progressing from anticipation to revelation, mirroring the unfolding story of Christ’s Nativity:
- The Vigil Mass invites us to a moment of joyful expectation, reflecting on the Old Testament prophecies that foretold the coming of the Messiah. It sets the stage for the glorious events we commemorate throughout Christmas.
- The Midnight Mass, known as the “Mass of the Angels,” transitions us from anticipation to jubilation. The Proclamation sung before the liturgy situates the Incarnation within salvation history, while the Gloria, sung for the first time since Advent began, echoes the angelic hymn of joy that announced Christ’s birth.
- The Mass at Dawn, or “The Shepherds’ Mass,” focuses on the humble yet extraordinary response of the shepherds, the first witnesses of the Savior’s birth. Themes of light and eager adoration mirror their journey to the manger, inviting us to approach the altar with the same awe and gratitude.
- The Mass during the Day brings us to the theological heart of Christmas, drawing on the majestic prologue of the Gospel of John. It emphasizes Christ as the eternal Word made flesh, the light of salvation, and the profound manifestation of God’s love for humanity.
Regardless of which liturgy you participate in, our celebration centers on the cosmic event that occurred in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago: God has taken on flesh and become Emmanuel, “God with us.”
1st Reading – Isaiah 62:11-12
See, the LORD proclaims
to the ends of the earth:
say to daughter Zion,
your savior comes!
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
They shall be called the holy people,
the redeemed of the LORD,
and you shall be called “Frequented,”
a city that is not forsaken.
Today’s short reading from Isaiah vividly captures the themes of salvation, restoration, and divine joy that align with the birth of Christ.
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth:
The proclamation that follows is from God himself.
Unlike the usual prophetic introduction, “Thus says the LORD,” which often addresses a specific audience, this message is intended for all nations. The phrase “to the ends of the earth” emphasizes its global scope and underscores its universal importance. This aligns seamlessly with the Gospel’s message of salvation for all humanity, making it particularly fitting for a celebration of Christ’s birth.
Say to daughter Zion, your savior comes!
“Daughter Zion” is a poetic personification of Jerusalem, representing God’s chosen people. The address is tender, evoking God’s care and love for his people as a father or mother would for a child.
Note the tense used: The savior is not promised in future times; rather, he is coming now, in the present.
Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.
This phrase conveys the idea that the savior brings tangible blessings. “Reward” and “recompense” suggest that God’s salvation includes not only spiritual renewal but also restoration and vindication for his people.
In Christ, this reward is reconciliation with God and the gift of eternal life.
They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken.
The titles “the holy people” and “the redeemed of the LORD” reveal the transformed identity of God’s people, emphasizing both their unique calling and their restored relationship with God. To be “holy” signifies being set apart for God’s purposes, while “redeemed” underscores their liberation and restoration from the grip of sin.
The new name for Jerusalem, “Frequented” (also translated as “Sought Out”), highlights God’s faithfulness and unrelenting pursuit of His people. This name contrasts sharply with the desolation and abandonment Israel experienced during the Babylonian exile. For a people who saw their exile as punishment for their sins, these new titles bring profound reassurance of God’s abiding presence, forgiveness, and care.
Understanding these names in their historical context deepens their significance. The exile had marked Israel with a sense of rejection and loss, but now, through God’s saving action, they are not only forgiven but reborn with a renewed identity. Similarly, Zion, the city that had been overthrown and left in ruins, will be restored to a place of life and attraction, drawing others to her once again.
This proclamation serves as a poetic and prophetic reflection of the joy, hope, and salvation celebrated at Christmas, inviting the faithful to rejoice in God’s promise fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ.
2nd Reading – Titus 3:4-7
Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,
He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
This passage from Paul’s letter to Titus proclaims the transformative work of God through Christ and highlights the profound implications of the Savior’s coming.
It was probably part of an early Christian baptismal hymn.
Beloved: When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared,
The word “appeared” refers to the coming of Jesus Christ, the definitive revelation of God’s love and grace to humanity.
This marks the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation that was promised throughout the Old Testament and is now realized in Christ.
not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy,
This love is a free gift springing from the mercy of God. Paul makes it clear that it is not compensation for righteous living.
he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,
“The bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” is often understood as a reference to baptism, symbolizing the cleansing and spiritual renewal that believers undergo through the Holy Spirit.
Notice the rudimentary trinitarian formula: God the Father pours out the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.
so that we might be justified by his grace
The ultimate result of God’s saving action is justification by grace.
Justification means being declared righteous before God, not because of any merit on our part, but solely due to God’s grace and mercy.
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Being justified, believers become heirs to the promises of God, including the hope of eternal life.
Christians are radically changed because God has entered their lives, a feat that was accomplished by the appearance of God’s love, Jesus Christ.
Gospel – Luke 2:15-20
When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
This passage from Luke emphasizes the joy and awe that accompanies the birth of Christ and highlights the shepherds’ role as the first witnesses to the Savior’s arrival. It invites all to reflect on the humility of Christ’s birth and the transformative power of encountering the Savior.
This story is unique to Luke’s Gospel. The shepherds and angels are not mentioned in the Gospel according to Matthew; Mark and John have no infancy narrative at all.
When the angels went away from them to heaven,
In the verses just before this passage, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, announcing the birth of the Messiah and informing them that they would find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Immediately after this proclamation, a “great company” of angels suddenly appeared with the one angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Now this heavenly host has departed, leaving them once again alone in their fields.
the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
The shepherds’ decision to go to Bethlehem demonstrates both their faith in the message they received and their eager desire to witness the fulfillment of God’s promise.
The fact that they would leave their flocks in the hills in search of a newborn baby was extraordinary. If anything were to happen to the sheep in their absence, the shepherds would face a significant financial loss — a risky decision, especially considering they were likely poor.
So they went in haste
They went “in haste,” full of joy and eager to see the Savior.
In fact, they are the first to respond to a divine invitation to seek out this Child.
and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
This was the sign the angel had given them (Luke 2:12), that they would find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, which was surely a unique sight. After all, who puts a baby in a feeding trough?
One would expect the infant Messiah to be draped with royal robes, lying in the warmth and security of a palace, with a long line of attendants and visitors.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
When the shepherds saw the Holy Family in the exact state the angel had predicted, they were convinced that everything the angel had told them was true: the long-awaited Messiah had arrived.
It’s reasonable to guess that the shepherds not only told Joseph and Mary about the message from the angel, but also about the entire vision of the host of angels and their song of praise. This would have been a great encouragement to them.
It is also likely that Joseph and Mary told the shepherds about the visions and experiences they’d had concerning the child. Such an exchange would have greatly strengthened the faith of both parties.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
The shepherds became the first evangelists, proclaiming the news to everyone they met. This was another risky move on the part of the shepherds – not only had they abandoned their flocks, now they were making truly incredible claims.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Mary has already experienced the wondrous power of God, having conceived and birthed a child without having relations with man. She made clear in her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) that she is a believer. Now she stands silently before the mystery of what God has done, treasuring these events in her heart with respectful contemplation.
Commentators since ancient times have concluded that this line is also Luke’s way of citing the Blessed Virgin as his firsthand source. This makes sense given that Luke was a scrupulous historian and Mary was the only person who could have given an eyewitness account of the unusual events surrounding Christ’s birth.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
The shepherds resume their lives, but they would never be the same.
This response of worship and gratitude is the proper response to encountering God’s profound revelation in Christ.
Connections and Themes
Salvation through God’s loving initiative. Our first and second readings show salvation as a profound act of God’s mercy, freely offered to all. Isaiah announces the arrival of salvation, proclaiming that God’s people are redeemed and given a new identity as a holy people, emphasizing their transformation through God’s intervention. Paul’s letter to Titus reinforces this message, highlighting that salvation is not earned by human effort but flows from God’s kindness and love, which are made manifest in the birth of Christ. Both readings affirm that it is God who takes the first step in our redemption, extending the gift of grace to all who can hear and embrace it. Together, they celebrate the Incarnation as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, a gift of pure grace.
Transformative joy. The gift of this child, the long-awaited messianic king, brings profound change to all who receive him. We see this in the readings: Isaiah proclaims that God’s people are sought out and no longer forsaken, transformed by the joy of encountering his salvation. In Luke’s Gospel, the shepherds, having witnessed the birth of Christ, return glorifying and praising God for what they have seen and heard. Both readings show the deep, transformative joy that flows from embracing God’s saving work, a joy that reverberates throughout the cosmos and flourishes in righteousness across history.
Solidarity with the poor. Christ’s birth, marked by humility and simplicity, is a divine act of solidarity with the poor. This is echoed in the reading from Isaiah, which proclaims salvation to a distressed people, bringing hope and restoration to those who are suffering. The second reading emphasizes that salvation is not earned through human deeds but is a free gift of God’s grace, available to all, especially the poor and marginalized. The Gospel tells how the shepherds, among the poorest of society, become the privileged ones to whom the Savior’s birth is first announced.
As we celebrate Christmas, we are called to reflect on Christ’s solidarity with the poor and to make this reality a central part of our own lives.
Sunday Readings 