Birth Date of Jesus by Paul Turner The opening of the third millennium harmonized with the traditional date for the first Christmas. Without a doubt, the birth of Jesus is the most important event to celebrate in a new millennium. But there is plenty of doubt about when that birth took place. There is no clear historical record of the date and year of Jesus’ birth. Although two of the Gospels record incidents pertaining to the event, neither assigns a date. Two main theories surround the choice of Dec. 25 to commemorate the nativity. The first theory looks to a third-century Roman pagan celebration coinciding with the winter solstice. ("Solstice" – the sun stands still – the earth is tilted on its axis and this tilt is what causes the changes of seasons – the shortest day of the year is December 22 and then the days in the northern hemisphere start to get longer.) As the days began to lengthen each year, Dec. 25 became a festival for the rebirth of the unconquered sun. Christians, who believed Christ was the real unconquered source of light, put his birth date on the same day. The second theory looks to the passion of Jesus. According to early conjectures, the actual day of Christ’s passion fell on March 25 in the year Jesus died. Some Christians believed that Jesus died on the anniversary of his conception. For this reason, March 25 became also the celebration of the Annunciation. Looking forward nine months, the birth of Jesus was placed on Dec. 25. The traditional year of Jesus’ birth was fixed in the mid-sixth century by Dionysius Exiguus, (Dennis the short) a monk and scholar who set the calendar according to the system we now know as A.D. (anno domini, "in the year of the Lord"). However, Matthew and Luke both say Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, who died around 4 B.C. Since Herod killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem up to 6 years of age, Jesus was probably born "before Christ," somewhere between 6 and 4 B.C. He was probably born in the Spring of the year – for then was the time when shepherds watched over their flocks by night in the fields. Spring time is lambing season. Although the actual birth date of Jesus cannot be known, he was born, and the millennium commemorates this birth by recognizing that all of time hinges on the life of Jesus. Copyright © 2003 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505, Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo. Midnight Mass by Paul TurnerChristmas is the only day on our church calendar that calls for Midnight Mass. Easter has its Vigil. But the pivotal celebration at Christmas is the Mass at Midnight. Actually, we have four Masses for Christmas, each with its own prayers and Scriptures: the Vigil Mass on the evening of December 24, Mass at Midnight and Mass at Dawn for those times of day, and Mass during the Day for December 25. We may mix and match the Scriptures if we wish. There’s no fixed time when these Masses must be celebrated not even the one at midnight. The titles are a simple convenience to identify the four. A parish might celebrate "Midnight Mass" at ten in the morning or eight at night. Parish staffs chuckle at callers who ask, "What time is Midnight Mass?" But the question isn’t as stupid as it sounds. If we attend any Mass Christmas Day, it’s possible we’ll hear the Scriptures of Midnight Mass. That’s a plus, because the Gospel of Midnight Mass alone relates Luke’s immortal story of the birth of Jesus. It’s the good news people want to hear when they come to Mass on Christmas. The Midnight Mass tradition reaches far back in our history. It originated probably in Rome before the Middle Ages. One reason for Mass at midnight is that we used to fast all day before communion, and since Christmas was such a grand day, we wanted to cut to the celebration as soon as possible. Another reason is the tradition that Jesus was born at midnight. This comes from an interpretation of a passage from Wisdom 18:14-15. The author says that during Israel’s Passover, God’s word leaped from heaven when the night was half gone. So in the new covenant, it was assumed God’s Word leaped from heaven at midnight. The mystique of Midnight Mass draws some who come to church only rarely. The shepherds, the magi, the angels, the animals the mystery of Christmas beckons us all. Copyright © 1997 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505, Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, Mo. |
| Teaching our children about the real meaning of Christmas A few things we have been talking about in morning prayer.How do we teach our children the real meaning of Christmas? How do we make sure that Jesus is in the heart of all that we say and do throughout the Christmas Season? Many times we feel like Jesus has gotten lost in the chaos of the holiday season. We need to ask the Lord to show us what we can do to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. Maybe we don’t need to do anything differently, we need to look in the middle of the celebration and we will find Him. We don’t need to orchestrate moments to commercialize Christmas, instead, Jesus is asking us to come to the party and bring the kids. In doing so, we can run into Him at school, in our living room, even at the mall. Jesus is in the lights, the carols and the cards. He is there when we decorate the evergreen tree and even when we eat turkey and dressing! We need to find a way to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas and then set free to join our children in the celebration - guilt free. It is amazing how we can find Jesus in our present day symbols and traditions. We each encounter the true meaning of Christmas in such unlikely places as a candy cane, fruitcake, and the partridge in a pear tree. We can all discover the significance of Santa Claus, tree ornaments and even the colors of Christmas. The Christmas tree points to heaven. The boughs are like Jesus’ open arms and the green color represents everlasting life because a pine tree is always green throughout the year. The lights on the tree remind us that God is our light and that we need to share His light through each of us. The candy cane has many beautiful meanings. The red color represents the blood of Christ and the white represents the purity of Jesus. The hard candy reminds us that Jesus is our Rock of salvation. The candy cane reminds us of a shepherds staff and that Jesus is our Great Shepherd and that He will take good care of us. When we turn the candy cane upside down, it is a beautiful J - for Jesus. Giving gifts reminds us how Jesus gave Himself for all of us. So we should want to give every chance that we have and to give God’s love to others. Santa Claus was a great example of someone who reaches out and gives to others. Santa Claus shows the giving heart of God, who is the Father of Christmas. Instead of getting lost in the hectic schedule of the holiday season, we need to join the celebration and carry His life into everything we do. What a great lesson for all of our children! We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless You.
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Blessing of the Nativity Scean Book of Blessings 1558
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| God of every nation and
people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our
need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives
he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this
manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him,
who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Mass at Midnight Hodie Christus natus est pro nobis! Today Christ is born for us! This ancient hymn has echoed throughout the world for twenty centuries, announcing the birth of the Lord. We should notice that the words do not say that Christ was born for us. It says Christ today is born for us. This is at the heart of the mystery of what we celebrate this midnight and what we celebrate each week when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. Today, right here and right now, in the hearts of an gathered to celebrate Christ's birth, Christ is born for us. This is our belief. In remembering the historical event of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, we make him present once again in the here and now. What a remarkable Christmas gift! Let us open our hearts to receive Christ today, for in this place he is truly born for us.
First Reading A reading from the Book of the Prophet IsaiahIsaiah 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus Titus 2:11-14 Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Gospel A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke Luke 2:1-14Glory to you, Lord. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highestand on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Today's Feast of the Holy family is relatively new in the Church's calendar. At the end of the nineteenth century, marriage and family life were in a state of change. Associations arose all over the world for the purpose of defending the family. In response to the growing need for focus on family life, the Church created the Feast of the Holy Family. Obviously the need for this feast is still acute today. We know very little about the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. All of what we know appears in the three Gospels chosen for the three-year cycle of readings for this feast. Today we hear the story of the family's flight into Egypt. As is the case with the other Gospel accounts, this Scripture reminds us that the Holy Family was not living in a cocoon, sheltered from the joys and struggles of everyday life. Joseph feared for their lives. This family knew the meaning of real struggle. Let us pray that we will be inspired by the Holy Family to strengthen the bonds that exist among family members and among members of our eucharistic assembly.
First Reading A reading from the Book of Sirach Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father' brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins a house raised in justice to you. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Second Reading In the shorter form of the reading, the passage in brackets is omitted Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [ Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.] The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Gospel A reading from the holy Gospel according to MatthewMatthew 2:13-15,19-23 Glory to you, Lord. When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod had died, behold" the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Today's solemnity is one of the oldest feasts on the Church calendar. This is a signal to us of the privileged place the Blessed Virgin Mary holds in the heart of the Church. Today's first reading contains a blessing appropriate for this first day of the new year. The second reading reminds us that through the mystery of the Incarnation and our baptism into Christ, we have become God's adopted children. The Gospel story from Saint Luke is a continuation of the narrative of the Lord's birth. We hear that after eight days, the child is named "Jesus" -a name meaning "God saves." From the very beginning, Mary knew that Jesus was destined for honor and glory. How Jesus would achieve that was a mystery to her. Perhaps this is why she is silent in most of the Gospels. We can imagine her caring for her child and nurturing him into adulthood. It is interesting that two of the most poignant scenes from the Gospels that involve Mary portray her closely united with her son: here at his birth, and at the foot of the cross. Let us turn our hearts to our most powerful intercessor before God as we begin this new year of grace and promise.
First Reading . A reading from the Book of Numbers Numbers 6:22-27 The Lord said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you' The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace' So shall they invoke my name upon the lsraelites,and l will bless them." The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians Galatians 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke Luke 2:16-21 Glory to you, Lord. T'he shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem 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. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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The Epiphany of the Lord Today's celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord serves as a reminder of the true meaning of the liturgy. The story of the visit of the magi from the east has been depicted in Christian art for centuries. We have invented names for these three mysterious figures. We have ascribed race and ethnic origin to each of them. Some traditions claim that there were up to twelve magi. The only evidence we have of these magi is from only one of the four Gospels, the account we hear from Matthew today. The Church's liturgy asks us to look beyond the words and the traditions that have grown up around this story. The liturgy is for today-it is not a sentimental recalling of past events. At the heart of this celebration is the fact that Jesus is manifested to all people. This is what Epiphany celebrates. Today, the Lord Jesus is manifested to you, to your worshipping community, indeed to the very ends of the earth. If the liturgy celebrates the now, how does this manifestation of the Lord occur? We believe that Christ is made present in word and sacrament, right here, right now. This is the miracle of epiphany that occurs each and every time we gather to give praise to God. So today, rather than getting caught up in the folklore that has developed about the Gospel story, focus instead on how the Lord is manifested to you today. Take the epiphany challenge and find ways that you can share Christ with others, creating an endless circle of epiphanies.
First Reading A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth,and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and roclaimin the raises of the Lord. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Second Reading
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Matthew 2:1-12 Glory to you, Lord. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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