There are four different sets of readings for the various Christmas Masses: the Vigil Mass, the Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn, and the Day Mass. I will comment on the readings for Midnight Mass. The Gospel may be used for any of the Christmas Masses.   

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6

The Book of Isaiah uses the contrast between light and darkness, recalling the beginning of a new creation. The burdens of the nation, described as a “yoke. . .pole. . .rod,” have been removed. A threefold burden is the greatest oppression. Midian stood for the cruelest of all of the enemies of Israel. The child is a sign of new life, a new beginning.

The child may also signal the change of rule. The names, “wonder-counselor, God-hero, father-forever, prince of peace,” suggest throne names. They describe the work of a royal leader. It would signal the reform of the Davidic monarchy in the land of Judah. Yet, it is “the zeal of the Lord” that becomes the power behind the throne. It is not a human undertaking, but divine achievement that brings about the transformation of the people. 

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14

This pastoral epistle encourages the listeners to live between the two comings of Jesus Christ, the “savior.” “To cleanse for Himself” is a term that describes what must be done to present oneself before God in worship. It recalls a sacrificial act. This effort is accomplished through Jesus Christ, “who gave Himself for us.” The response is to be “eager to do what is good.” That is how the work of creation is described on each day: “And God saw that it was good.” Thus, we put ourselves at service to the Lord in His work of making the world...good.  

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

The Lukan birth narrative places the birth of Jesus within an historical framework. But it is an event that extends beyond one point in time. There are very human and very divine elements in the narration of the story. “Swaddling clothes” was the wrap for any child. It is mentioned twice. The mention of an “inn” means that they were on a journey – between where they were and where they were going. Although the setting is within the rule of the emperor and the governor, the announcement of the heavenly messengers is made to the working men in the field, the shepherds. The location, Bethlehem, called “the city of David,” and the shepherds allude to David, the shepherd boy, who was the great king of Judah.

Including the verses that follow these, the manger is mentioned three times. It is the feeding trough for the flock, an important image for the birth in Bethlehem, a name which means “city of bread/food.” It also was a contrast to the divine announcement of the birth with the royal milieu and references. The birth is approachable and among the people, not separated and beyond reach. The birth also brings about “peace” on earth, reflecting the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, which was instituted by the emperor Augustus, who was mentioned at the beginning of the narrative. There will also be a great comparison and contrast between the two figures, who bring about this “peace.” Augustus orders an enrollment of the “whole world.” The angels announce that the birth of the “Christ and Lord” will bring about “great joy...for all the people.” Just as Caesar had his armies, so the birth of this child brought forth “a multitude of the heavenly host.” This event was not meant to be secret and private.

Some events are just not meant to be kept quiet. Two years ago, we celebrated a funeral Mass for a Vietnamese lady, who was the matriarch of a huge clan. She always won the award for the most direct descendants at the Mass on Mother’s Day. When she died, the family was on the phone to other members of the family, who were still in Vietnam. The bells of the Church in her former village there were rung, and the family gathered for a funeral Mass, even while we prepared for her funeral in our parish. She entered eternal life with the whole family around the altar table on two different continents, but celebrating the same mystery of eternal life, as well as the gathering of the family of faith, who were brought forth and inspired with the same faith of the one, whose life we remembered. Faith in Jesus Christ, the savior born for us, made this a shared celebration. The same Body of Christ was recognized, shared and worshiped across different cultures.

This is a night of hope and promise, between the historical event of one who was born for us a long time ago in a faraway place and the happy vision of what is yet to come. Faith brings together the memory of the past with the anticipation of the future. But we celebrate today. The time of waiting is over. The One who is coming is among us all. Merry Christmas!

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.