R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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 came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
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.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.

Are you familiar with the tv  show ‘’Inside the Actors Studio?” It got very high ratings.  Host James Lipton used to interview in-depth high end actors, writers, and directors. And he would always end up his interview with a final question: “What do you think God will say to you when you finally see Him?”  Once, Lipton interviewed Steven Spielberg and asked him the that very question. Spielberg thought for a moment, smiled, and then replied, “Thanks for listening.”

When you think for a moment, much of the Christmas account is about listening: The archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be bear a child — She listens.  An angel tells Joseph in his dreams about what is to happen — He listens. The angel announces to the shepherds the good news of great joy — They listen.

This Christmas 2021 is very different for many of us.  We were very much accustomed to a more wonder-filled preparation for our celebration of Christmas — not complicated by a pandemic, debates about vaccination mandates, political unrest, violence even in our schools, inflation, and tornadoes — in summary lots of sadness and dark news of every kind.

All of this has made it hard for us to really be good listeners to God and can keep us from being open to what He wants from us. OK. But I do not want this to be an excuse for us this Christmas not to listen.  In fact we need to listen more than ever to the message of the Lord’s Nativity because there is no place else to go.

And so I ask you: on this the festival of the Lord’s birth, are you listening? Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary in a stable because there was not room for him in the inn, born into this world who needs our Savior Who is Jesus Christ.   

And so I ask you: “Do you hear what I hear,” said the little lamb to the shepherd boy? “Do you hear what I hear,” said the little lamb to the shepherd girl?  “Do you hear this child, this child sleeping in the night — He will bring you goodness and light?” Pray for peace people everywhere. So rest now, for Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us from Satan’s power when we were going astray.

Let there be tidings of comfort and joy. Are you listening?

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”

Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.

R. (3c)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?
And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:
 Let all the angels of God worship him.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.