These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. (Mt 2:13-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122821.cfm
If yesterday’s gospel of the Empty Tomb was a bit disconcerting here in the middle of Christmas, today’s feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that not everyone was thrilled with the birth of the Christ Child. Some thought of his coming among us as a threat to the powers that be (the established order). And so, in hopes of killing him, Herod orders the massacre of the children. Today’s Christmas carol is Yo Soy Vicentico (I’m Little Vincent).
When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (Jn 20:1a, 2-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122721.cfm
The Fourth Gospel, the one we call according to John, is anonymous. But the church has always wanted to attribute it to the apostle John. But there is an older tradition that says the “disciple whom Jesus loved” was Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. That would make sense of this passage when the “disciple whom Jesus loved” sees the cloth “that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.” He sees and believes because from first hand experience he knows what has happened. Today’s Christmas carol is A Belén Pastores (To Bethlehem Shepherds).
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. (Lk 2:41-52)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122621.cfm
The feast of the Holy Family reminds us that even though our families may not be perfect like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph—our families are holy. In our families we first find God’s love. Today we have another wonderful Christmas carol from Colombia, thanks to the Pre-kindergarten kids: Mi Burrito Sabanero (My Burrito).
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. (John 1:1-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-day.cfm
As the ancient fathers and mothers of the church would say, “The Son of God became the Son of Man so that men and women could become the dear children of God.” Merry Christmas—Feliz Navidad. Today we have a truly Colombian Christmas Carol: Tutaina.
Alleluia (Lk 2:10-11)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-vigil.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-night.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-dawn.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-day.cfm
Christmas is blessed with FOUR distinct Mass formulas each with their proper readings. The lectionary presumes that the community would be present for all (or most) of the liturgies, which is why, even in the old days, it was possible to receive communion twice on Christmas. So Merry Christmas to all! We invite you to join in today’s Christmas carol, Noche de Paz (Silent Night).
