NATIONAL OFFICE FOR VOCATION
Helping people hear God's call
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Daytime Gospel
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” ’
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
John1:1-18
English Standard Version Catholic Edition (ESVCE)
Gospel Reading from www.universalis.com
Weekly Reflection
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon o.p.
Archbishop of Liverpool
Chair: National Office for Vocation
I have always loved giving and receiving presents at Christmas. The element of surprise is so exciting as the parcels are unwrapped and the gifts revealed. In choosing gifts for those we love, and respect can involve a lot of care and consideration, and the gift no matter how small becomes an expression of love. Receiving gifts tells us that we are loved and lovable.
On Christmas day we celebrate the greatest gift we will ever receive. The gift of the Christ-child, Jesus, is freely given to us by our loving God. God has given us everything that we own even our own lives and God’s loving gift of life sustains us throughout our earthly lives. That is not an easy idea for us to understand because we are so used to doing things for ourselves, making our own lives, deciding what we want to be and how we live our lives. But we often forget that the degree of autonomy to make these decisions is a gift from God. In this age of self-entitlement we easily forget that human rights derive from our human dignity which is also a gift from God.
Jesus, the gift of God himself to us, is not a present that is easy to receive. He is not quite what we want or expect. He is not wealthy or powerful. He doesn’t live in palaces, wear expensive clothes or have large armies. He makes us wonder what kind of person he is. Jesus was born in poor circumstances, and we are reminded that it is not wealth that makes the gift worthwhile but the love with which the gift is given and received.
In our time many people throughout the world especially those who are refugees or are in war zones give birth to their children with joy and gratitude to God. Their newborn children are signs of God’s love for them and an expression of hope for the future. Every person who is born into the world has a special purpose. That person is called to a life on earth and in eternity to be with God. St John Paul II called this the universal call to holiness. That call or vocation is a special Christmas gift that comes to us along with the babe in the manger. As we draw close to Jesus over the Christmas season, we can be sure that he is calling each of us to some definite service. This call or vocation takes many forms which often change at different stages of life. We should not be daunted by this but see it as a gift from Jesus who walks with us through life. He will guide and support us – yes, Jesus the Christ-child is the true gift that keeps on giving.
Prayer
O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature
and still more wonderfully restored it,
grant, we pray,
that we may share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Taken from the Christmas Day Collect
Christmas Inspirational Quote
“My prayer for you is that when Christ comes to you in Christmas, He may find in you a warm home, warm love like that of a heartful of love, like that of a simple shepherd who was the first one chosen to see Christ.”
St. Theresa of Calcutta