Thursday 25 December 2025
- The Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour
Mass
Readings:
Is 9:1-6 Ps 95 Tit 2:11-14 Lk 2:1-14
Key
Verse to Meditate:
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and
laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn
(Lk 2:7).
My dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Merry Christmas to all!
Today, with hearts full of joy and peace, we gather in this holy place to
welcome Christ the Lord-the Word made flesh—who comes to dwell among us. In a
world wounded by sin and brokenness, the birth of Christ renews all things with
holiness, hope, and eternal joy.
The Christmas liturgy today places before us the
radiant theme of Christ the Light. In the
first reading, the prophet Isaiah proclaims, “The people who walked
in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of deep
darkness a light has shone” (Is 9:2). In the second reading, St.
Paul highlights the mystery of Christ’s birth, declaring, “For
the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all” (Tit
2:11).
The Gospel further reveals how the humble
shepherds were enveloped in the splendour of Christ, the true Light of the
world—just as we pray in the Collect of the Christmas Vigil Mass.
As we participate in this joyful and grace-filled
Christmas Eucharist, may the Light of Christ transform us deeply and make us
new people—capable of proclaiming the true Light, Jesus Christ, who is born for
us today. May the good news of His birth become a message of enduring hope for
our world today.
The First Reading
Today’s first reading presents the great
prophecies concerning the Messianic era (Is 9:1–7; cf. 11:1–9). From this
reading we also understand why Isaiah is known as the prophet
of the Gospel: he offers some of the most significant messianic
prophecies in Scripture (cf. Is 7:10–17; 9:1–7; 11:1–9). Because Isaiah is the
most frequently cited prophetic book in the New Testament—especially in
relation to the coming of the Messiah (for example, the Immanuel sign in Is
7:14)—the book is often nicknamed the Fifth Gospel.
In the prophecy of the coming King (Is 9:1–7),
verses 1–2 form a powerful transition from doom to promise: “The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has
shone” (Is 9:2). The New Testament explicitly connects this
prophecy to the ministry of Jesus in Galilee. For instance, the Gospel of
Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1–2 (Mt 4:16) when narrating the beginning of Jesus’
public ministry in the region of Galilee.
The new Immanuel
(Is 7:14) is the light shining in the darkness. Zebulun and
Naphtali—northernmost tribes of Israel and the first to fall to the Assyrian
conquest—are promised liberation. This liberation is portrayed as a decisive
victory of the Lord and marks the beginning of a reign of peace inaugurated by
the birth of a child, the new Immanuel.
Isaiah further tells us that the Saviour-King is
endowed with extraordinary qualities (Is 9:6):
·
Wonderful Counsellor:
a ruler who needs no misguided advisers like those who misled King Ahaz.
·
Mighty God:
one who exercises divine power in justice.
· Everlasting Father:
a king whose rule will be characterized by care, fidelity, and enduring
protection.
·
Prince of Peace:
one who brings true peace, harmony, and prosperity.
This King embodies the finest qualities found in
Israel’s greatest heroes. His titles reveal the nature of his reign and the
character of the kingdom he establishes. Matthew, in his Gospel, recognizes the
fulfilment of this prophecy in Jesus Christ (Mt 4:15–16). Trusting in Him who is our light and peace,
we pray: “Thy Kingdom come!”
The Second Reading
In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that the birth of Jesus reveals God’s grace, bringing salvation and peace to all (Tit 2:11). Christ’s mission is to redeem humanity from sin and call us to lives of godliness, repentance, and good works (Tit 2:14). This message echoes the angel’s revelation to St. Joseph, affirming that Jesus is born to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21).
The Gospel Reading
The story of the birth of
Jesus is movingly described by the Evangelist Luke in today’s Gospel (Lk
2:6–12). One element that captures our attention—both in the Gospel narrative
and in the cribs we prepare—is the manger. The long-awaited
God-who-was-promised for centuries by the prophets finally enters the world in
the simplicity of a stable. The humble parents of the divine Child lay Him in a
manger. Mary and Joseph welcomed the God of heaven into a poor and rustic setting.
The manger was part of the
Jewish household structure where animals were sheltered—a rough and unclean
place. It was certainly not the cradle one would prepare for a child, much less
for the Son of God. Covered with prickly straw, it already hinted at the
rejection and hardships the Saviour would face. And yet, God chose to be
born there. This humble beginning foreshadows Christ’s mission: to restore
dignity to the poor, comfort the suffering, heal the broken, and bring peace to
a wounded world.
A Manger, a Child, Mary and
Joseph
The Gospel paints a simple
and profound tableau: a manger, a Child, Mary and Joseph in silent
contemplation. God chose poverty for His first appearance on earth—no pomp,
no glory. The first to visit Him were shepherds, people marginalized by society
(Lk 2:16). Yet this Child is the eternal Word made flesh, sent for the
redemption of the world. Reflecting on this mystery, St. Athanasius beautifully
says: “God made Himself a bearer of flesh so that humanity might become a
bearer of the Spirit.”
The Mystery of this Holy
Night
Tonight, we reflect on the profound mystery of this Holy Night, a night
celebrated in thousands of hymns. It is the most luminous night in human
history—the night the Saviour of the world entered our midst. On this blessed
night Mary and Joseph rejoiced; the angels sang; the shepherds glorified God.
It is significant that the angel’s message to the shepherds announcing
Christ’s birth was delivered at night (Lk 2:11). Throughout salvation
history, God often reveals His plans in the silence of night:
- It
was at night that the angel spoke to Joseph in a dream (Mt 1:21).
- It
was during the night in Egypt that Israel was freed from bondage (Ex
12:31).
- The
boy Samuel heard God’s voice at night (1 Sam 3:10).
- David
composed some of his most beautiful psalms while keeping vigil at night
(Ps 134).
- The
Book of Wisdom describes this holy birth saying,
“When gentle silence enveloped all things … the all-powerful Word leaped down from heaven” (Wis 18:14–15). - Paul
and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison at night (Acts 16:25).
Christ’s glorious birth in the deepest darkness teaches us that even in
the darkest moments of our lives, the light of God shines forth. With
Jesus’ birth, our darkness becomes a habited darkness, filled with the
presence of the One who is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12).
The Manger of Bethlehem
The manger of Bethlehem is
the first “royal throne” of the King of Kings. It foreshadows the throne of the
Cross. Jesus began His earthly life laid on wood, and He would complete His
mission on the wood of the Cross. He was not born in the power center of
Jerusalem, but in the humble village of Bethlehem. Not in a palace, but in a
stable. Not on a soft bed, but in a manger.
It was not luxury that
revealed God’s presence, but humility and simplicity.
The manger is the epitome of humility. A feeding trough for animals became the
resting place of the Bread of Life (cf. Jn 6:35). How fitting that the One who
satisfies every hunger should first lie where creatures fed.
Christmas therefore calls
us to humility, simplicity, and meekness, following the poor and humble Christ.
In our time, the manger points to the altar, where Christ gives Himself
to us in the Eucharist—His Body and Blood offered for the life of the world.
Silent Night
Another striking element of
the birth narrative is the profound silence surrounding it. Everything
unfolds in holy quiet. As today’s liturgy proclaims: “While gentle silence
enveloped all things … the omnipotent Word leapt down from heaven” (Wis
18:14–15).
Zundel writes, “Only
silence reveals the depths of life.” The greatest works of God are born in
silence, witnessed only by those who see with the heart.
Mary embodies this silence.
The eternal Word is the silent Word, and Mary becomes the first disciple of
that Word. She listens, meditates, and treasures all things in her heart. She
speaks little of herself but allows God’s mystery to shape her life. By her
silence, Mary becomes the dwelling place of God. Following her example, we too
are called to become a living sanctuary—a “basilica of silence”—where
God’s Word can rest and grow.
The Mystery of the Birth of
Our Saviour
Each year Christmas
returns, reminding even those of different beliefs of the beauty of this great
mystery: God became man. We will never fully grasp its depth, for it
surpasses all human understanding.
The Son of God entered
human history in a surprising, even shocking way—born in poverty, in cold, in
obscurity. Angels rejoiced, humble parents adored, and shepherds—outsiders to
society—were His first visitors.
His birth changed the
course of history. God’s eternal plan was revealed: He became one of us, taking
on fragile humanity, not only to fulfil ancient prophecies but to show us the
loving face of God and to assure us of His constant presence. Jesus came “to
seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10) and to establish the Kingdom of God
on earth.
Points for Personal
Reflection
Tonight, as the whole world
celebrates Christmas, we too rejoice in this beautiful and radiant night when
the Saviour entered human history. To shepherds keeping watch over their flock
by night, the angel proclaimed: “Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of
great joy for all people.
For today is born to you in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord” (Lk 2:10–11).
The Incarnation reveals
that God chooses to be Emmanuel—God with us—in every moment of our
lives: in our poverty, our limitations, and our fragility. In the Child of
Bethlehem, God draws near and dwells within us.
Dear friends, Christmas
invites us to humility, simplicity, compassion, and peace—following the example
of the Incarnate Word, who embraced the humble conditions of humanity.
Merry Christmas to each and
every one of you.
May the joy of the Saviour’s birth fill your hearts with peace, hope, and
everlasting joy.
…………………………………..
Other Readings
CHRISTMAS
OF THE LORD - MASS OF THE DAWN: Is 62:11-12
Ps 96 Tit 3:4-7 Lk 2:15-20
CHRISTMAS
OF THE LORD - MASS OF THE DAY: Is 52:7-10
Ps 97 Heb 1:1-6 Jn 1:1-18
