New Eyes.

What a beautiful gift we are given this day: to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Jesus is the reason for the season, end of story. It is called Christmas after all. Should Jesus not have come, we would not be celebrating this holiday. So why is it that so many forget what Christmas is about? Why is it that so many celebrate this holiday without acknowledging the reason we have it? I do not understand why some live in such contradiction. My own family included.

Tonight at mass so many beautiful things were brought up. The priest had wonderful things to say and a great explanation for this day. I am going to attempt to touch on some of them, however he said it so well that mine cannot compare. The unfortunate thing is out of all the members of the congregation, many heard what the priest had to say. Few actually listened. Praise be to Jesus that I was able to hear his words through Father Mike tonight.

It is an old catholic tradition to celebrate Christmas late in the night. Years ago, they would celebrate as the clock struck midnight. Why is this? It is said that Jesus was born in the night and we replicate this in order to feel a deeper unity to the miracle that occurred the night Jesus was born. Mary was brave enough to say yes to carry a baby that she did not conceive. She is a beautiful example of what it means to follow Christ, and be courageous in doing the will of God. Because of her yes, Jesus was born. God of all of heaven and earth came to us. Humbled himself and came to us as a man, so that we as humans may see him and touch him and believe in him. That we may see the light of Christ and continue to spread his good news for centuries to come. The God of all things came down...but not as God. Not as a big and strong man to fear, but as a precious child. God of all creation was born as a baby..but not in a luxurious crib, but a tiny manger in a barn. Why you ask?

Perhaps it was a sign of who Jesus was. He was born in a manger- a trough for food and drink for many creatures. Jesus came to us to be our food- to be bread broken, and wine shared. Jesus is our daily bread. Perhaps this is also why he was born in Bethlehem, for in Hebrew Bethlehem means "House of Bread".

Jesus came in the night to be a light for all the world. Born to show us the way, and died to save us from eternal damnation. Born only to die.

This Christmas may you remember why we celebrate Christmas after all. Jesus came to the earth and brought peace. May his peace rest upon you, whom he favors.

Tis the season for loving, and for giving. May you find in your hearts the love that Jesus gave you when he created you, and may you share that love with all whom come in contact with you. May all who greet you see the face of Christ, and you in return see the faces of Christ that are present all around you.

I wish that you may be filled with the Holy spirit, and see this season with new eyes. May God bless and keep you. Forget not that this is the Lord's day...and that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas everyone!