Christmas Eve - Midnight Mass

Are you really interested in the nativity of Jesus? Many of you may say you are, but how do you show that you are interested? Some of us may have been busy with our work, clearing up end of the year matters. Some of us may have been busy looking for nice and expensive presents at shopping malls, sometimes spending hours searching and identifying gifts for our friends and loved ones, and then having to endure long queues to pay for such gifts. Some of us may have been busy cooking and cleaning the house, so that there would be a nice meal for our families to enjoy and the house is spic and span. How many of us have been busy growing in our spiritual lives, and being loving and charitable towards the poor, the marginalised and others in need?

In the midst of all our busy-ness and the hustle and bustle going on around us, we may have forgotten the main reason why we are celebrating Christmas. We may have not noticed the poor, the marginalised, the sick, those facing persecution, and many others that society seems to avoid. If Jesus were to be born today, He would not be found in a palace, or some big hospital, or among the glitter and decorations at the shopping malls, or some other fancy place. Nobody would notice Jesus in such places anyhow, since there are so many other distractions and attractions around, and the rich and the powerful are too busy with their own affairs to actually take notice of an event such as this. It is the poor who take notice and recognise Jesus' coming because their daily lives depend on God’s providence. Have we learnt to be like the poor and noticed the nativity of Jesus, or have we become more and more like everyone else, concerned with ourselves and our loved ones?

Today, the angels proclaimed a beautiful message to all of us: "Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord … Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour." If our lives are so cluttered up by riches, ambition, greed, pride, or power, it is quite possible that we will be deaf to the song of the angels. But if today you also come to recognise that you are poor, that you are also broken, that you are weak, and that you need God, then you may not only listen to the message of the angels, but you would also be overjoyed and excited to share this wonderful message with others. May we refocus our lives towards Jesus, and bring the joy of Christmas to all around us.

Christmas Eve - Midnight Mass

Fear is an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or might happen. People are fearful for so many reasons: some are fearful of the dark; some are fearful of creepy-crawlies like certain insects, certain lizards (such as the "cicak" or house gecko), snakes or spiders; some are fearful of the unknown or the future; some are fearful of the consequences of past events, especially if they had directly or indirectly been involved in such events; some are even fearful of death. When we are fearful, how would we respond? Some respond by trying to run away and hide, thinking that the fear would eventually go away, but more often than not, the fear remains and may be triggered due to some situation or circumstances. Some may try to substitute fear with substances or other forms of distractions, but this may lead to addiction or abuse of such substitutions. Some may even despair and may give up on themselves. As Christians, how do we respond to fear?

In the first reading, Isaiah tells us: "The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone." In the Gospel, the angel of the Lord appeared and said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you." Who is this great light that Isaiah spoke of? Who is this saviour which the angels appeared and proclaimed? He is Christ the Lord! Do not be afraid, "for there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace."

We who had walked in the darkness of our fears, our insecurities, our sins, our worries, have now seen Jesus, our great light. St. Paul in today's second reading reminds us: "He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good." With Jesus our great light, there is no reason for us to fear any longer. So what should we do? What must we do? St. Paul in the second reading gives us the answer. He tells us: "God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world."

This is what Christmas is all about to us Christians. It is not about the gifts or food or merry-making. It is about being prepared as best we can and living the values of the Gospel, "while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus." Let us be afraid no longer, but put our confidence and trust in Jesus our great light, knowing that He is our saviour and He will lead us to our true home.

Christmas Eve - Midnight Mass

Most of us would not want to be alone during the Christmas season. We would like to be with our families, friends, loved ones and share the joy of Christmas with them. However, there are some of us who, for some reason or another, may not have opportunity to be with our families, friends, loved ones. When we are alone during this time, how would we feel?

When Jesus was born, He too was alone. Only His parents were there to welcome Him. The first people to know about His birth were the shepherds, who were also alone out in the fields with their flock. Shepherds were considered unclean, according to Jewish law, as they had contact with all sorts of animals. However, what is surprising is that the angels came to announce the birth of the King of kings to them. We often think that such an announcement should have been made to kings, the powerful, the rich... But to shepherds? Yet, these shepherds were the first to know and the first to visit our new born King.

Look around us... Do we see people who are alone around us? Do we invite them to share the joy of Christmas in our homes? Do we bring the joy of Christmas to them, if they are unable to come join us? We may have received many gifts or presents for Christmas. Are we willing to offer gifts and presents to others around us, especially those who are alone, marginalised, suffering, etc.? In our merry-making and joy, we may forget those around us who are alone. We may even forget the real meaning of Christmas: the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We may have been influenced by worldly distractions such as giving gifts to each other, santa claus, santarinas, frosty the snowman, etc. "Today a saviour has been born to us, he is Christ the Lord." Let us bring the joy of Christmas to all around us and we as one faithful rejoice His birth.