Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 25, 2011 - Christmas: Mass at Dawn - ABC
[Isa 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20,86][T]he 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 about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
The material abundance of Christmas is more than matched by the scriptural and spiritual abundance of our liturgical celebration. We simply have to reach out and take hold of it. As a preacher, I am faced with nine scripture passages to consider because there are three separate Masses, each with its own set of scriptures! I note with amusement that at least in the USA, the first two Masses are now referred to as Mass at Night (since "Midnight Mass" seems to start at any number of times besides midnight!), Mass at Dawn (same thing) and Mass during the Day (for those latecomers). I had to make a decision and the shepherds win.
The Gospel of Luke offers us a model of discipleship in the awesome experience of these shepherds. They hear the announcement of the Good News. They go and experience the Good News for themselves. Then they proclaim it to whomever will listen! This matches our general experience. We've grown up with the familiar Christmas story and we bring out the manger scene each year as part of the Christmas decorations! Do we experience that scene as a "preaching" to us? Or is it simply part of the decorations? We don't have to go very far to see it. Having seen it, do we tell others about it? I've seen parents explain the manger scene to small children. Parish churches will feature processions to the manger scene with the infant Jesus at "Midnight" Mass. Latino parishes will feature "Posadas" - a neighborhood procession that recalls the journey to Bethlehem.
The essential message is "CHRIST IS BORN!" He is born to each of us in baptism. He is born to all of creation. He is the "Word made flesh" that dwells among us! This is Good News! It is more than "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" Having heard the message and experiencing it in faith, we can say to one another this year and every year and throughout the year: CHRIST IS BORN!
To all my Beloved Congregation, I wish a blessed and holy celebration of the birth of the Lord. I am grateful for your patient "hearing" of this preaching. I will be remembering you all at the celebration of the Eucharist. Please pray for me! AMEN