It is wonderful celebrating Christmas Eve mass with all of you this evening. We welcome everyone to Mass. We are glad to have all of our parishioners here. And we extended a very warm welcome to our visitors and extended family members and friends who are joining us this evening for Mass. Please feel very welcomed here at Holy Savior.
We have been preparing for four weeks in the season of Advent for this day. We have been actively waiting and preparing a path in our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Today, we celebrate with great joy the birth of our savior. Each year, we tell the story of Christ’s birth, remembering how he came into the world. We tell the story of Mary and Joseph being turned away from the inn, of the angels proclaiming to the world the good news of his birth, of the shepherds visiting the Christ child the stable. Today, we celebrate the difference Jesus has made not only to the world, but also in our own personal lives.
The birth of our savior is not just an historical event that happened in the past. Christ’s birth is an event that echoes through the centuries right down to us this evening. It is not just a nostalgic event remembered through Christmas cards and manger sconces and beautiful Christmas decorations. Christ’s birth is a present reality that truly makes a difference in our lives. Through Christ’s birth, God is made incarnate and enters into human history in a special way. But, more importantly, he enters our personal lives. In Advent we sang, O come, O come, Emmanuel. Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. He is God with us, acting in our lives in a relationship with us, in a very personal way.
Pope John Paul II wrote, "The mystery of the birth of Jesus that took place over 2000 years ago must be lived today and every day. The Word that found a dwelling place in and through Mary comes to knock on our hearts this Christmas and every Christmas, today and every day.”
During the Advent season, I think of the ways I saw Jesus present as a light, as God with us, as we prepared for Christmas, in our parish and in our Diocese. In the youth going to the nursing home to sing Christmas carols. In our parish collecting items to help the prison ministry, the Carmelite monastery, and the Arc Angel adults. In our seminarian Will Fogo as he was ordained as a deacon at the cathedral of St Peter. In the ten men that entered the Church through our ministry at the state prison. In the meeting of the deacons and deacon candidates in Winona. In the Christmas breakfast we had with the children and their families. In the children of the first communion class receiving the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time. In Sister Maryann making her permanent vows as a Carmelite nun. In our large OCIA class of candidates and catechumens being presented to our parish. Christ is present with us in many different ways. If is important for us to feel that presence. It is important for us to participate and be a part of that presence.
I want to specifically specifically speak to the children and youth here with us tonight. Three years ago, we brought this stuffed lamb Uno to our church, and he is present at all our masses. And for you children and youth, I hope that each time you see Uno you recognize how Jesus reaches out to all of us. Each one of us matters. Even that one lost sheep that needs to be brought back to the community. We want our children and youth to realize that they matter. That the Mass always speaks to you. Our parish is here for everyone - our adults, our seniors, our colleges, students, our youth, and our children. Our Mass and our liturgies are to speak to everyone and include everyone. That is an important message for us to hear at Christmas. That Jesus’ was born to save all of us. And he invites all of us to his Church, the body of Christ.
Tonight, Christ being born in the humble stable in Bethlehem enters our world as a bright shining light. Christ brings his light to us in the reality of our lives, in the midst of the darkness and challenges we have. May we experience Christ the life our lives. Merry Christmas to all of you.
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