Rejoice Jesus Christ is Born!
This wonderful sermon by St. Peter Canisius via The Real Presence reminds us that without Christmas Day, we would be worse off than unbelieving pagans.
Christmas Is Nothing If Not a Day for Universal Joy
“If Therefore there was ever a good reason to rejoice over the birth of any child, it must surely be to-day on the birthday of Jesus, the Son of Mary, who alone of all men is called and truly is ‘God with’ us’—of whom alone it can be said that ‘the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ Christmas Day is nothing if not a day of universal joy. Children should rejoice because on this day God Himself became as one of them; virgins, because a Virgin brought forth and remained unstained even after giving birth; wives, because one of their number became the Mother of God; sinners, because their Mediator and Saviour and Healer has come to redeem them; the just, because their Reward exceeding great has been born into the world. In fine, all faithful Christians should rejoice that their Creator and Lord has taken on human flesh and begun His reign over the hearts of men, not only as God, but also as the Son of Man among the children of men.
“Were we not to celebrate the Feast of Christmas as joyfully and as solemnly as we should, we would be worse than the stiff-necked Jews or unbelieving pagans, who for all their sins at least were not wanting in due respect for the birthdays of the great ones who lorded over them. Do I say worse than infidels and Jews? Worse than the beasts of the field who cannot show their appreciation of God’s becoming man because they do not know Him, but we know Him and know what His coming in our flesh has meant to us. If you do not believe me, believe the Catholic Church which for so many centuries has gone to the limit of propriety in exulting over the birth of her Redeemer. If you will not even believe the Church, at least listen to the Angel who was sent from heaven to announce the tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people, believers and pagans, Jews and Gentiles—to all without exception.”
Christmas Is Nothing If Not a Day for Universal Joy
“If Therefore there was ever a good reason to rejoice over the birth of any child, it must surely be to-day on the birthday of Jesus, the Son of Mary, who alone of all men is called and truly is ‘God with’ us’—of whom alone it can be said that ‘the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ Christmas Day is nothing if not a day of universal joy. Children should rejoice because on this day God Himself became as one of them; virgins, because a Virgin brought forth and remained unstained even after giving birth; wives, because one of their number became the Mother of God; sinners, because their Mediator and Saviour and Healer has come to redeem them; the just, because their Reward exceeding great has been born into the world. In fine, all faithful Christians should rejoice that their Creator and Lord has taken on human flesh and begun His reign over the hearts of men, not only as God, but also as the Son of Man among the children of men.
“Were we not to celebrate the Feast of Christmas as joyfully and as solemnly as we should, we would be worse than the stiff-necked Jews or unbelieving pagans, who for all their sins at least were not wanting in due respect for the birthdays of the great ones who lorded over them. Do I say worse than infidels and Jews? Worse than the beasts of the field who cannot show their appreciation of God’s becoming man because they do not know Him, but we know Him and know what His coming in our flesh has meant to us. If you do not believe me, believe the Catholic Church which for so many centuries has gone to the limit of propriety in exulting over the birth of her Redeemer. If you will not even believe the Church, at least listen to the Angel who was sent from heaven to announce the tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people, believers and pagans, Jews and Gentiles—to all without exception.”
4 Comments:
That's awesome, a very powerful post, and what else can I say but AMEN!!!
PS thanks for the prayers to my preist Fr.Pat, very much appreciated, I think he will be out of hospital in a week. :D
Yes, it's a powerful message and really speaks to the very soul. My parish priest told us that some people he knew make excuses missing Christmas mass because they have to attend to visiting relative or their children. Then he said, "Jesus is more important than your children or your relatives or anyone in the world!".
I'm so happy to hear that Fr. Pat will be released from the hospital in a week! Praise the Lord!
Merry Christmas also to you and thank you for your nice words!
I hope you ahve some blessed days and a happy new year also!
Thank you Stef! May you enjoy this Holy Season and have a Happy New Year as well!
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