20-second Summary
Jesus came on Christmas Day as the fulfillment of the promises of God, to show His glory to all people, to be the light in the darkness, to redeem us from sin and death. Do we realize the connections Christmas Day has with the prophesies of the Old Testament? Or with our own personal journey of faith today? It is the connection point between both!
Catechesis At Home – The Nativity of the Lord – Year A
Christmas Day
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass Readings
[will open a new tab or window]
Vigil Mass | Mass during the Night | Mass at Dawn | Mass during the Day
Christmas Day
REFLECTION – Merry Christmas
A people in darkness have seen a great light. His name is Emmanuel, God with us. The angels proclaim the glory of the Lord, and we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas is a time for remembering the past, relishing the present, and looking forward to the future. We remember Christ’s coming as an infant – the Incarnation. We celebrate the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, here and now. And we look forward to His coming at the end of time, to bring heaven to earth. Our Advent journey culminates with this season and when we look at our journey, we can hopefully see our progress in our relationship with Jesus.
The readings for Christmas vary depending on what Mass we attend. There are four options – the Vigil Mass, Mass during the Night, Mass at Dawn, and Mass during the Day. Reading all of the readings this week is a really neat exercise in learning more about who Jesus is and how we can relate to Him. Each one of them has a different focus and draws the worshipper into the story in unique ways.
Vigil Mass – focus on the Lord’s covenants with Israel, fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Mass during the Night – focus on rejoicing in the glory of God
DISCUSSION – Christmas Mass
This week, many people will attend Mass who do not normally. How can we welcome them? Be honest with yourself as you think about the crowds at Mass, am I happy they are here? Am I judging them for not being at Mass on other Sundays? Am I proclaiming Jesus like the Angels, Shepherds, and John? Am I welcoming like Mary and Joseph? Am I at Mass for the right reasons? Am I there so people will see me, or am I there to worship my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
ACTIVITY – Christ’s Mass
When you go to Mass, take time before and after Mass to pray as a family. Before Mass, kneel together and pray a simple prayer to welcome Jesus into your hearts and minds as you celebrate His day, His Mass, His saving actions. After Mass, pray a prayer of thanksgiving, and maybe the St. Michael prayer (as Pope Francis has asked the faithful to pray after every Mass). Thank the Lord for the time today to focus on Him, and others, taking time away from the presents and goodies, to look at the real Gift that brings all Goodness to earth, each and every day.
DIG DEEPER – Other Christmas Day resources from Holy Owned and Operated:
Page: Advent Resources
TWMWU: Merry Christmas!
TWMWU: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Post: The Meanings Behind our Advent Traditions
Podcast: Christmas – Episode 23
Podcast: The Incarnation – Episode 72
Podcast: God the Son – Episode 105
How do you celebrate Christmas Day?
by Beth & Kristofer Cowles
HOO™ Co-Founders
Other Help on HOO
Lust And Love – Episode 133
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:04 — 24.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Blubrry | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More Subscribe Options
What is the difference between lust and love?
During this “season of Valentines” Beth and Kristofer cover this (often unknowingly) confusing and vitally important topic before we dive headlong into the pink and roses and hearts and whatnot.
Beth and Kristofer share how to tell the difference between lust and love, and how to teach that to impressionable minds and hearts.
And they do this in the context of Mortal Sin and Theological Virtue: Lust and Love, respectively.
They also, right out of the gate, point to Nick’s seven-part series about Love as a great resource on our web site for this discussion, which is linked to in the show notes.
Living in this world, but not of it, is difficult, and Beth and Kristofer offer us some pointers on how to do that, particularly in this day and age.
And, no, there is no inappropriate or “parental discretion advised” content in this episode.
But they do get attacked by a tree!
0 Comments