Christmas
The Nativity of the Lord (Mass During the Night)Isaiah 9:1-6Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2023 We come today to celebrate something very special and we do so with “abundant joy and great rejoicing.” We come into church from a world with…
Read MoreWe are about to start a very busy weekend in the Church. This Sunday (December 24th) is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Then Christmas arrives on Monday. That means there will be the normal Sunday Masses. Then, at 4 pm…
Read MoreAs we approach Christmas, there are specific readings for daily Masses on the final eight days before Christmas. The gospel readings focus on the events just before the birth of Jesus including the announcements of the pending births of John…
Read MoreWith the new year just five days away, have you made plans for how you will celebrate the beginning of the new year? Will you make any new year’s resolutions? The new year begins on Sunday, December 3rd. I will…
Read MoreChristmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is far too important to celebrate with a single day. We celebrate Christmas for a season that lasts until the Baptism of the Lord (which falls on Monday, January 9th this year).…
Read MoreThe Nativity of the Lord (Mass During the Night)Isaiah 9:1-6Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2022 You can find a video of this homily on my website page for my upcoming series, The Greatest Gift: The Eucharist at www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgift (scroll down on…
Read MoreWith this Sunday’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord our Christmas season ends. Christmas is a time of great hope. We hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, we see Jesus laying in the manger, and our hearts are…
Read MoreThe Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12January 2, 2022 Today we celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord. We know the story of the magi, traditionally referred to as the three kings. They came…
Read MoreWith Christmas falling on Saturday this year, after spending my time this week preparing a Christmas homily, I am grateful that one of our deacons preached today (Sunday) as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary,…
Read MoreChristmas – Mass During the NightIsaiah 9:1-6Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2021 Why are we here? The answer is no secret. If you have been in stores recently, it is obvious that it is Christmas. …
Read MoreToday, December 6th, is the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas. We don’t know much about him. During our present season of Advent, the memorial of saints aren’t given as much attention. However, this year I feel inspired to use what…
Read MoreThe Baptism of the LordIsaiah 55:1-11Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 (3)1 John 5:1-9Mark 1:7-11January 10, 2021 Our Christmas season will end this evening following our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our…
Read MoreThe Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12January 3, 2021 On Christmas we heard the angel deliver “good news of great joy” to the shepherds, “For today in the city of David a savior…
Read MoreThe Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Year B (Please note there are different options for the readings)Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (7a, 8a)Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19Luke 2:22-40December 27, 2020 On Christmas Day Jesus was born in…
Read MoreChristmas Mass During the NightIsaiah 9:1-6Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2020 Today we hear “good news of great joy.” After a difficult 2020, we need to hear some good news. The good news offered by…
Read MoreAs I write this we are just a couple of days from Christmas. Christmas this year will be different because of the Coronavirus. However, no matter how different your celebration is, it will still be Christmas, the celebration of the…
Read MoreBaptism of the LordIsaiah 42:1-4, 6-7Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 (11b)Acts 10:34-38Matthew 3:13-17January 12, 2020 Christmas day was 18 days ago. We began our Christmas season with the story of the birth of our savior “who is Christ and Lord.” …
Read MoreThe Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12January 5, 2020 At Christmas we heard that the shepherds were the first to hear the “good news of great joy” that “a savior has been born…who…
Read MoreThe Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and JosephSirach 3:2-6, 12-14Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (1)Colossians 3:12-21Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23December 29, 2019 We continue our celebration of Christmas for Jesus’ birth is too important to celebrate with just a single day. So, we…
Read MoreChristmas 2019Mass During the NightIsaiah 9:1-6Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 (Luke 2:11)Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2019 There is much joy in seeing so many people here at Christmas as we celebrate something very special, very sacred. What makes this time…
Read MoreThe Baptism of the LordIsaiah 40:1-5, 9-11Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30 (1)Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7Luke 3:15-16, 21-22January 13, 2019 Throughout our Christmas season, I’ve talked about the connections between the feasts and solemnities we celebrate during this season. With our…
Read MoreIn today’s gospel (Tuesday between Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord), we hear of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as told in Mark 6:34-44. Jesus feeds so many with so little. It is a powerful image. The feeding of the…
Read MoreThe Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12January 6, 2019 For our Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, we heard the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke’s gospel. Our gospel reading for the…
Read MoreMary, the Holy Mother of GodNumbers 6:22-27Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7Luke 2:16-21January 1, 2019 As we gather here today to celebrate a holy day, it is January 1st. In our country it is New Year’s Day. However, the fact…
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