The Nativity of the Lord - Year A
December 25, 2016
Gospel: Jn 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to
be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him
was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in
the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent
from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might
believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in
the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know
him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to
become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by
natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And
the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the
glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to
him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming
after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we
have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given
through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen
God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
http://www.usccb.org
Reflection
The gift of God
It’s Christmas, and Christians everywhere are
celebrating the birth of Jesus. The arrival of a baby is a very special time
for a family. It is a gift of new life that usually means changes take place in
the family. The birth of Jesus is particularly special because it is an immense
gift from God to all of us. Imagine: God, while remaining God, became human.
Born by a woman, he would grow up, live, eat, walk, and dress like other people
of the time. He would feel hunger, thirst, sweat, pain, grief, and temptation,
just as we do; he would even die a terrible death to save us from our sins. But
he rose again to
make it possible for us also to rise so that we might
live for ever with him in heaven. Jesus’ birth calls us to change. What changes
will we make for him in our own lives?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. Grant, O
merciful God, that just as the Savior of the world, born this day, is the
author of divine generation for us, so he may be the giver even of immortality.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Today…
Being generous as a family
Finally, you are going to meet
the newborn king you have been waiting for these past
four weeks: Jesus Christ. You
have certainly decided to go to church as a family. Many people go to Mass on Christmas Eve. Suggest to
your parents that you invite someone over for Christmas Eve dinner with you -
someone who is lonely or isolated from others. Christmas is a perfect time to
make room for those who do not have family.
Word Search
Christmas tree
Source: usccb.org
- Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com
–usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm