THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD - MASS DURING THE NIGHT - Gospel (Lk 2:1-14) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2:11)

FIRST READING - Is 9:1-6

    The people who walked in darkness

        have seen a great light;

    upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

        a light has shone.

    You have brought them abundant joy

        and great rejoicing,

    as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,

        as people make merry when dividing spoils.

    For the yoke that burdened them,

        the pole on their shoulder,

    and the rod of their taskmaster

        you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

    For every boot that tramped in battle,

        every cloak rolled in blood,

        will be burned as fuel for flames.

    For a child is born to us, a son is given us;

        upon his shoulder dominion rests.

    They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

        Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

    His dominion is vast

        and forever peaceful,

    from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

        which he confirms and sustains

    by judgment and justice,

        both now and forever.

    The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

SECOND READING - Ti 2:11-14

Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus

that the whole world should be enrolled.

This was the first enrollment,

when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth

to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,

because he was of the house and family of David,

to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

While they were there,

the time came for her to have her child,

and she gave birth to her firstborn son.

She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields

and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were struck with great fear.

The angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid;

for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

For today in the city of David

a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:

you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes

and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,

praising God and saying:

    “Glory to God in the highest

        and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD - MASS DURING THE NIGHT - Gospel (Lk 2:1-14)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God, God recounts to everyone on earth how the Son of God came to earth to become a human being.

God has revealed that since ancient times, the prophet Isaiah foretold that the Son of God would come to earth to become a human being to bring peace, joy, and happiness to humanity. God is always the God of love, an everlasting, infinite, and endless love in this world, there is no love as great as God's love.

That is why the prophet Isaiah announced to all mankind that when humans are living in misery and sin; walking in darkness, being oppressed by the law and sufferings brought by the world, at that very moment God's love is shown in humanity, that is, the Son of God comes to earth to become a human like any other human being.

The prophet Isaiah called the Son of God: "Wonderful Counselor", Glorious King, Everlasting-Father, Prince of Peace." These titles brought joy and happiness to humanity. He protected justice and righteousness for humanity. He reclaimed truth, light, and righteousness to lead humanity to the love of God, which has been done for more than two thousand years.

God let humanity know that The Son of God came to earth to become a human being, born in very poor, simple, and humble circumstances. He humbled Himself to reside in the womb of a woman chosen by God, that is the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph who were chosen to be the foster father of the Son of God. These two saints fulfilled the duty that God gave them and collaborated in His plan of salvation.

God also shows that when the Son of God is born into the world to become a human being, it is the time when the light of Almighty God shone upon all mankind; God is among mankind and is surrounded by angels; and the light of God surrounded all those who come to worship and venerate the Son of God born into the world.

At that time, the angels surrounded singing praises to God the Most High and Powerful One who humbled Himself to become a human being so that humanity could share in God's nature. Thus, this shows how great God's love for humanity is; there is no love as great as God's love, and no one has the humility and self-abasement as God.

It is because of love that He is born into the world to become a human being to be with and accompany mankind; to bring peace, joy, and eternal happiness to humans; to dispel darkness and sin, to help humanity escape from sadness, hatred, and resentment; to help mankind escape from the darkness and power of Satan, because the light of God always has the power to expel darkness and sin, and to help lead souls to attain the light of the face of God the Most High.

Today, God calls all mankind to abandon the paths of sin and injustice, to return to the paths of light and love, and to return to the God of peace, so that He may come and reign in our souls.

The peace of God will cover all mankind, covering all souls who dare to follow the path of God's light, placing their absolute faith in His plan, which is to welcome the Son of God to come to earth to become a human being to bring peace and happiness to humankind.

All who run to call upon the holy name of God will have our souls comforted by God, and we will be given peace and happiness by God when we see the majestic face of God, residing in a small Child lying in a poor manger.

Happiness for all creation in the era of the Holy Spirit is opened. Salvation is bestowed not only to humans but to all creatures, including fallen angels and demons who repent and return to the Most High God the Father.

God the Father sends His loving blessings to all humanity on this blessed night: "God the Father wishes you peace, God the Father loves you and God the Father wants you to be happy with the Infant Jesus."

In response to God's immense love for humanity, at this very moment, all creatures: open our hearts to welcome the birth of the Son of God; contemplate the presence of the Prince of Peace reigning in the Infant Jesus and in the hearts of each person.

Let us join the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the angels, the saints, and all creatures in singing, praising, and glorifying the love and the name of the Most High God: "Glory to God in the Highest, and Peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests." Amen.

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