Gospel for December 25 2020 – John 1:1-18
Gospel Reflections for December 25 2020
When does Christmas arrive?
Christmas arrived this year at a time of great distress.
Some distress comes from fear of the pandemic, or your economic future, or even questions about the ever changing businesses restrictions. Rules that favor some businesses while shutting down others only increases confusion, frustration, and even anger.
I am glad that the vaccines also arrive now in this Christmas season, and just in time to offer some hope.
How does a vaccine work? There are several types, but in general, a vaccine introduces a very small amount of the disease into your body, which instantly recognizes it as an enemy and develops strong antibodies and other powerful cells that fight the disease successfully. All your antibodies are now strong and very well developed and ready to fight the disease should it ever try again. The latest vaccines are about 95% effective which is extraordinarily powerful …and good news!
There is an interesting parallel in our Christmas story. Like a vaccine, Jesus took in to Himself our human nature at His birth in Bethlehem. Therefore, He has just the right “antibodies” you now need to fight sin, stress, anger, and frustration.
When Jesus arrived in Bethlehem …he was the only “Christian!” He did not come to find Christians on planet earth …but to create them, and He would do so with the gift of His very self. He still continues that mission today, and offers the very best cure for a sick world.
Christ always makes the first move, and it is His offer of unconditional love for you. Your only choice is to receive Him and His love into your life. That love enables you to be a strong and spiritually healthy person of faith, hope, and love, no matter what is going on in your world, pandemic or not.
I am glad we celebrate this memory of His birth in Bethlehem every year, but Our Lord means for you to receive His grace and love always because Christmas arrives every day!
It is no accident that Our Lord invites you to especially receive this medicine every Sunday along with your fellow Catholics either in person or on video. The worries of the world can be intense. You should not go too long without this regular experience of His Love, especially as He offers Himself to you in the Eucharist.
Our Lord is the very best “Doctor” for what ails you. No wonder that from that first Christmas to today people have called this the Season of Joy!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Merry Christmas!
And a Happy New Year!
Dear Father Dave,
Your message is so true. Thank you.
May the joy of Christmas and the birth of Christ lift your heart in happiness.
Prayers for the world….
God bless you.
Kathleen
Thank you!
Fr Dave,
I LOVE your analogy about Jesus being our spiritual vaccine!!! It beautifully & powerfully puts the point across.
Blessings,
Sherrie
Yes, Our Lord is the medicine we need!
Fr. Dave,
Thanks again for the blessing of hope!
Merry Christmas!
Larry
And a Happy New Year!
I think every time we connect with Jesus, Christmas comes!
At Christmas, when we give thanks for gifts received, let us not forget
the sacrificial gift of Jesus Himself, given to us, as we offer our grateful thanks
to Him.
We wish you a blessed Christmas, Fr. Dave!
Thank You!
A most precious beautiful Christmas to you Father Dave!! We soooooooooooooooooooo love our Jesus and we soooooooooooooooooooo love you for giving the gift of Jesus to us especially in the Holy Eucharist, in your loving words, in your precious Homilies and the beautiful way our Jesus lives in you!!! Merry Christmas!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Franca and Dickj
Thank you!
Blessings today & a very Merry Christmas Fr Dave! Stay well – and a better 2021!
Best wishes,
Mike & Kathy McIntyre
I am looking forward to a very good New Year!
Merry Christmas to you & your parish Fr. Dave.
Vaccine is a great symbol of Gods love for us. I really like that.
May the blessings of his birth bring peace & health to the entire planet!!
Pray for 🌏🔯
We hope that all of the vaccines will return us to normal life.
I love these weekly reminders of the importance of our Catholic Faith.
Missing the actual attending Mass and receiving Communion but feeling
Safe and secure in seeing live stream and video. I see a new and great
method of reaching people that can be persuaded to try the Faith.
Happy New Year Father Dave and keep up the good works.
Thank you. Have a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year!