Fw: Cycle 2:season Christmas: Sunday:2 Epiphany Of The Lord(4/1/2015) mysterious catholic - in detail

A. Back ground: Christmas we remember historical birth of Christ, in Advent we reflected how the 2nd coming of christ to our life to be planted.
You need to know about the basic 4 pillars of Catholicism
(a)BELIEF- creed
(2)WORSHIP- 7 sacraments
(3)SPIRITUALITY-how we establish connection with God-Lords prayer+mary+saints (4)BEHEVIOR-10 commandments+pardoning leading to have a peaceful+ worry less+happy mind.

In christmas season we focused on physical characteristics of how Jesus came to this world. What are the essential changes that has been taken place with Mary, Joseph in bringing Savior into this world!.
Christmas season starts from christmas day (Dec 25th) until Jan 8th will have around 2 sundays to reflect alone with
(1) Jesus virginal birth
(2) characteristics of Holy Family
(3) Jesus human + divine character.

In advent season we planted in our life the birth of Jesus. In Christmas season,we focused why Judaism does not believe Savior our Lord has come.  They did not expect the savior to come thru' human person, though in the old testament it was clearly mentioned,a virginal birth.
 Next point is Immaculate conception of Mary to support the Jesus-Our Saviors birth. It is by her own effort she exert herself to be fit to occupy that position.
The last point is the virginal marriege of Joseph and Mary and how they live together in upbringing Jesus thru His unpublished life.
When we are earth bound, it is difficult to think how Mary and Joseph kept their virtues up to the mark!. But when we analyze the value of spirituality, the earth bound desires are of secondary and Not at all basic matter for living.
The real love is not earth bound, it is going against the gravitational pull, to realize Happiness, Joseph and Mary has set an example, with overcoming fear and sorrow by following God's will.

B. Preamble for today's reading:

B.1 SIGHT- Seeing and it's relationship to our life!
 Sight is arguably one of the most human senses. The journey begins with electromagnetic radiation(light), where visible light occupies wave lengths between 400 to 750 nano meters. Wave length is important to the people, as how to sense light. Colors are having different wavelength.

Similarly, as human, you can master a subject by focusing more on that subject. You can see more clearly if you devote more time, with continuous analysis, you will be seeing more wave lengths-more colors. Religion is common subject for many human beings. There are more than 1 billion catholics in the world. They are supposed to focus more on Jesus teachings. They will start focusing on christianity to see different wave lenths to be applicable to their own life to reach happiness in this life.

Mystery of any subject is no longer going to be a mystery, if you focus more on that subject. This knowledge that you can acquire from the learning process. Catholicism has allowed any adult to convert, the root less faith they develop at school, to a full pledge faith, by attending sunday mass, specially following and reflecting on the sunday gospel reading alone with other 2 readings. Sunday Mass is the weekly banquet of God, where your reflection is equivalent to the proper cloth that you should wear for that banquet.

B.2 CHRISTMAS SEASON IN A NUTSHELL !

In christmas,we saw heaven on earth,earth in heaven,man in God,God in man. one whom,whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. 1st sunday of Christmas season we analyse the characteristics of Holy Mary. How mary and Joseph supported to bring Messiah to this world, according to the God's plan. In jan 1st we saw,Mary is Mother of God, how she is looking after our happiness!. In Jan 6,we are reminded about Jesus divine qualities. They are
(1)journey of 3wise men,to worship Baby Jesus
(2)At time of His baptism in river Jordan
(3)Wedding feast in Cana-His 1st miracle.

At the end of christmas season, we got to know about physical characteristics of holy family, as against characteristics of earthly family!. Without Jesus planted in your heart, during advent season, it will be hard for you to understand the intended knowledge of Christmas season!

B.3 ROLE OF JOSEPH!

Also an important factor to remember is role of Joseph,as a family bread winner"How many times arms of Joseph served as a cradle for Jesus.what tender kisses he lavished upon Him,& how often he fed him,dressed him,taught Him how to speak & to walk" Same divine hand which fashioned each man's heart gave a father's heart to Joseph,Son's heart to Jesus,so that Jesus obeyed Joseph and Joseph didn't fear to command Jesus. Joseph was perfectly conformed to Divine Will.Ideal LOVE seen between Mary& Joseph!.


B.4- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER GOD BELIVING RELIGIONS!

'Messiah',appears about 40 times(old testament)refer to the saviour whose advent to introduce the kingdom of God the Jews has long being awaiting. The Jews came to think that only a super natural act, involving the destruction of the whole natural order, could liberate them from the empires oppressing them.
 ex he would descend from the skies, annihilate the world and judge mankind, as opposed christianity, where we believe the Savior Jesus has come,thru' his life both divine and human qualities were observed. This feast show us the evidence of God's public revelation of the Divine Quality of Jesus,(the new testament). Christmas season linked the old to new testaments of christian belief and shows the clear demarcation of both. Earlier 1 God, after Jesus 3 persons in one God. This is the difference between christianity with other God believing religions!.


C. Today's reading:

Mt2:1-12 says"..Jesus born.. Wise men came..King Herod..when U have found Him let me know..they saw child..offered Him gifts..But they were warned..not to go back to Herod. Reminds happy mind(wise men)will receive God's will and it may not normal (didn't go back to Herod). God's thinking is different to earthly thinking!

Prop: Isaiah says(Is 60:1-6)"lift up your eyes & look around".
Paul says(Eph3:2-3,5-6)"knowledge is Mystery"reminds that for you to learn any subject you should devote time to learn on that with a happy mind,otherwise it is going to be Mystery. If you don't reflect sunday readings/recite daily Rosary,without developing(peaceful+worry less and happy)mind,you will not be aware about
(1)DIVINE &HUMAN NATURE OF JESUS
(2)IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY
(3)JOSEPH&MARY'S VIRGINAL MARRIEGE
(4)IMPORTANCE OF HANDING OVER WORRIES TO MARY &SAINTS,for God's will
(5)GOD'S WILL MAY NOT SAME AS YOUR WILL.

Socratise says "unaware life is not worth for living." They sleep walk until they die!.

Conclusions:
The last sunday of Christmas season, take us to understand more on Catholicism comparing with Judaism. How God in his own wisdom send His beloved son to this world,to show us a path to reach Happiness. The tree of life in the garden of eden, which has being closed to human, has being opened with Jesus(idea of christmas tree in christmas). For that we have to be very clear as to the difference of going against gravitational pull, to experience HAPPINESS. The logical way of thinking of human, with respect to families and extending to generations and idea of Virginal birth! And virginal marriege!. This further extend, the practical evidence supported by Holy mary with respect to immaculate conception revealed through Miraculous medal and apparition at Lourdes. May be God on His own wisdom, given us these evidences, when the society needs such evidence! Earlier people believed without those evidences(before 1830), present evidence is the un corrupt bodies now you in france (1) Body of St catherine(2) Body of St Bernedeth. We should not break our head how our fore fathers believed that!. It is similar that Catholicism, it does not start with Gospel but traditions start the church, then Gospel came. God is not dead but HE is a living God!. He changes the paradigm of the people to enforce changes in living with generations, otherwise the life of human will be stagnate, and there is no enthusiasm for new generation to enjoy.

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Mysterious Catholic-sunday 4/1/2015 (Brief Version) this readings are same for all cycles1,2,3

Christmas we remember historical birth of Christ, in Advent we reflected how the 2nd coming of christ to our life to be planted.

The 4 pillars of catholism(a)BELIEF- creed(2)WORSHIP- 7 sacraments (3)SPIRITUALITY-how we establish connection with God-Lords prayer+mary+saints (4)BEHEVIOR-10 commandments+pardoning leading to have a peaceful+ worry less+happy mind.

In christmas season we focused on physical characteristics of how Jesus came to this world. What are the essential changes that has been taken place with Mary, Joseph in bringing Saviour to this world!.
Christmas season starts from christmas day (Dec 25th) until Jan 8th will have around 2 sundays to reflect alone with (1) Jesus virginal birth
(2) characteristics of Holy Family
(3) Jesus human + divine character.

In advent season we planted in our life the birth of Jesus. In Christmas season,we focused why Judaism does not believe Saviour our Lord has come.  They cannot expect the saviour to come thru' human person, though in the old testament it was clearly mentioned. A virginal birth. Next point is Immaculate conception of Mary to support the Jesus-Our Saviours birth. It is by her own effort she exert herself to be fit to occupy that position. The last point is the virginal marriege of Joseph and Mary and how they live together in upbringing Jesus thru His unpublished life.

When we are earth bound, it is difficult to think how Mary and Joseph kept their virtues up to the mark!. But when we analyze the value of spirituality, the earth bound desires are of secondary and Not at all basic matter for living, as against some modern thinking!. The real love is not earth bound, it is going against the gravitational pull, to realise Happiness.(Ex Jesus resurrection) Joseph and Mary has shown this example of happiness, with overcoming fear and sorrow by following God's will.

Mystery!

Mystery of any subject is no longer going to be a mystery, if you focus more on that subject. This knowledge that you can acquire from the learning process. Catholism has allowed any adult to convert, the root less faith they develop at school, to a full pledge faith, by attendingsunday mass, specially following and reflecting on the sunday gospel reading alone with other 2 readings. Sunday Mass is the weekly banquet of God, where your reflection is equivalent to the proper cloth that you should wear for that banquet.

Mt2:1-12 says"..Jesus born.. Wise men came..King Herod..when U have found Him let me know..they saw child..offered Him gifts..But they were warned..not to go back to Herod. Reminds happy mind(wise men)will receive God's will &it may not normal(did not go back to Herod).Prop: Isaih says"lift up your' eyes & look around". Paul says"knowledge is Mystery".reminds that for you to learn any subject you should devote time to learn on that with a happy mind,otherwise it is going to be Mystery. If you don't reflect sunday readings/recite daily Rosary,without developing(peaceful+worry less and happy)mind,you will not be aware about
(1)DIVINE &HUMAN NATURE OF JESUS
(2)IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY
(3)JOSEPH&MARY'S VIRGINAL MARRIEGE
(4)IMPORTANCE OF HANDING OVER WORRIES TO MARY &SAINTS,for God's will
(5)GOD'S WILL MAY NOT SAME AS YOUR WILL.


Socratise says "unaware life is not worth for living." They sleep walk until they die!.

The last sunday of Christmas season, take us to understand more on Catholicism comparing with Judaism. How God in his own wisdom send His beloved son to this world,to show us a path to reach Happiness. The tree of life in the garden of eden, which has being closed to human, has being opened with Jesus(idea of christmas tree in christmas). For that we have to be very clear as to the difference of going against gravitational pull, to experience HAPPINESS. The logical way of thinking of human, with respect to families and extending to generations and idea of Virginal birth! And virginal marriege!. This further extend, the practical evidence supported by Holy mary with respect to immaculate conception revealed through Miraculous medal and apparition at Lourdes. May be God on His own wisdom, given us these evidences, when the society needs such evidence! Earlier people believed without those evidences before 1830. Present evidence is the un corrupt bodies now you in france (1) Body of St catherine(2) Body of St Bernedeth.

 

Human paradigms

We should not break our head how our fore fathers believed that!, it is similar that Catholicism does not start with Gospel but traditions start the church, then Gospel came. God is not dead but HE is a living God!. He changes the paradigm of the people to enforce changes in living with generations, otherwise the life of human will be stagnate, and there is no enthusiasm for new generation to enjoy.

For more details follow this links :
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com
Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/  ‬

Or for more details about Mary

http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Cycle 2; season- Christmas-Sunday1 (28/12/2014) -married Catholic-FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY - in summary

Christmas season 1 sunday we were invited to reflect about the characteristics of HOLY FAMILY, specially how they lead their life in good faith of God.

Book of genesis(Gn 15;1-6:21:1-3) says" the word of the lord was spoken to Abraham in a vision," HAVE NO FEAR, ABRAHAM,I AM YOUR SHIELD;YOUR REWARD WILL BE VERY GREAT.....SO SARAH BORE A SON.......ISAAC..."
Letter to the Hebrews says(Heb11:8.11-12.17-19)" it was faith by Abraham obeyed the call....he set out without knowing where he was going.....it was equally by faith that Sarah......to conceive,she believed....It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test offered up Isaac........."

Gospel(Lk2:22-40) says"when the day came for them to purified .......two young pigeons....named simeon....Now master your servant go in peace.... You see this child: he is destined to fall and for the rising of many.......Anna.......serving God night and day .....to praise God.

Reminds the importance of faith on God's message to lead a Happy life. Mary and Joseph has given good examples of leading our lives in great faith of our creator God.

 The role of St Joseph:

A belief that permeates the old testament and extend a major influence in Joseph's life is the existence of an invisible- spirits of world of angles and demons. 1st angelic apparition " angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream(Mt1:20) to resolve his mental anguish over mary inexplicable pregnancy. The 2 nd recall of angelic al activity was. Night of saviours birth,hearing the chorus of angels for the newborn king- first ever christmas carols. Meanwhile fallen angels were taking the active hand for aiding and abetting king Herods murderous plot to liquidate the new born king. Again angle appeared in a dream(3rd time) to him to flee immediately with mary and jesus to Egypt.
The 4th time an angle appeared to exile Joseph, asking him to return to homeland. Finally he was favoured with 5 th recorded dream vision, the angel directed him to return to Galille instead Judea! Due to threat posed by Herods son.

Lessons for us to reflect:
(1)Mary did not took the upper hand, about giving messages to Joseph, rather than Her!
She trusted Joseph's directions!, though she is the starting point with Jesus.
(2) Joseph's mind was so clear to understand and receive the God's message
(3) Mary and Joseph overcame the practical fear and sorrow developed thru' the circumstances and never blame God in providing complex situations rather they both clearly accepts the God's will

The lessons Mary and Joseph shown us were applicable to our lives. Now there are no angles, no dreams, you are along with your family. How to find the God'S will for you?
Whether your wife will agree or children accepts? Very complicated story!

There were no records of disagreements with Joseph and Mary. How to lead a life without disagreements! Specially in a married life, where 2 different people with 2 different conditioning, with 2 different free will's try to follow 1 God's will, in a family will be much difficult than a single life!.

GBU.

For more details follow this links :
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com 
Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/  ‬

Or for more details about Mary

http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Cycle 2:season:Christmas no2-28/12/2014 familied Catholic - in detail

A. Back ground:
In advent we studied how to give birth to jesus in our lives. For that what actions we should follow. In christmas season, christmas day we reflected about Jesus Birth. The idea behind crib, carols and christmas tree to represent incidents about Jesus Birth. Today we are invited to reflect about the faith that should develop by us, in following God's will,as against our earth bound will. Catholic church has developed concepts of immaculate conception and about patron of church of holy mary and St joseph only after around 1850 years. Hence it is important for us to reflect about Holy family, with the newly formed dogma's for us to understand how holy family follow the God's will!.

B.1 importance of mary!
The divine and human natures of the person of christ lived in the womb of mary, God and man made one. In no person in this world was there ever such unity of God and man as Mary experienced within Her during 9 months in which she bore Him whom the heavens could not contain. Mary who was already one with Him in Body, as love reached its peak in mothering the wandering word!.

B.2 The role of St Joseph:

A belief that permeates the old testament and extend a major influence in Joseph's life is the existence of an invisible- spirits of world of angles and demons. 1st angelic apparation " angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream(Mt1:20) to resolve his mental anguish over mary inexplicable pregnancy. The 2 nd recall of angelic al activity was. Night of saviors birth,hearing the chorus of angels for the newborn king- first ever christmas carols.Meanwhile fallen angels were taking the active hand for aiding and abetting king Herods murderous plot to liquidate the new born king. Again angle appeared in a dream(3rd time) to him to flee immediately with mary and jesus to Egypt.
The 4th time an angle appeared to excile Joseph, asking him to return to homeland. Finally he was favored with 5 th recorded dream vision, the angel directed him to return to Galille instead Judea! Due to threat posed by Herods son.

Lessons for us to reflect:
(1)Mary did not took the upper hand, about giving messages to Joseph, rather than Her!
She trusted Joseph's directions!, though she is the starting point with Jesus.
(2) Joseph's mind was so clear to understand and receive the God's message
(3) Mary and Joseph overcame the practical fear and sorrow developed thru' the circumstances and never blame God in providing complex situations rather they both clearly accepts the God's will

The lessons Mary and Joseph shown us were applicable to our lives. Now there are no angles, no dreams, you are along with your family. How to find the God'S will for you?
Whether your wife will agree or children accepts? Very complicated story!

There were no records of disagreements with Joseph and Mary. How to lead a life without disagreements! Specially in a married life, where 2 different people with 2 different conditioning, with 2 different free will's try to follow 1 God's will, in a family will be much difficult than a single life!.

B.4. Delay in establishing dogma's
 of Mary & Joseph in Catholicism!

8/12/1854,dogma of Immaculate Conception was defined by pope Pius 9. Why did it took so long? In the course of history of church, this had been the object of some disagreement. Sources of these are 2 fold.1st was universality of original sin taught with such vigor by St Paul in his letters& universality of Redemption in which it seemed impossible to exempt one sole creature,even if she was mother of God. Council of trent shed light on this 1st point when it declared that it did not intend"to include Blessed & immaculate Virgin Mary in decree relative to original sin" with regard to 2 point,church introduced distinction between Redemption of victims of original sin&antecdent "Preservation" accorded to Virgin Mary in view of future Redemption. Despite these reservations this,feast spread gradually thru out church!.


8/12/1854 Pope Pius 1X proclaims the dogma of the Immaculate conception.25/3/1858 Mary gives her name"I am the Immaculate conception"to Bernadette at the16 apparition.8/12/1870 same pope declares St Joseph as the patron saint of universal church. In 1955 pope PiusX11declares St Joseph as "patron of workmen".why so long!. Christianity envisage to accommodate the technological advancement. Earlier we use horse carts, now we use motor vehicles, resulting an efficient method of traveling. Earlier post now e-mail. Similarly new concepts are being explored by the church as given in mat:9:14-17.

B.5 How mary protect humanity?

Miraculous medal

On27/11/1830,as a novice to become a sister, Catherine Laboure,witness Our Lady, with her feet crushing the head of a serpent. Mary introduced the oval shaped Miraculous Medal,On it were these words:'O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!On other side of  medal,a letter "M"(Mary's initials)was surrounded by the cross. Below there were2 hearts, one heart pierced with the sword (for Mary)& the other heart crowned with thorns for Jesus,12 stars-apostles(to symbolise our Faith & church).Mary said' HAVE A MEDAL WORN AROUND THE NECK, great graces will be given to all who wear it WITH CONFIDENCE'. At elevation time in Holy Mass, she PHYSICALLY SAW CHRIST at the HOST.She died on 31/12/1876 & beatified on 28/5/1933, after 57yrs of her burial, it was found to be completely incorrupt(now Rue de Bac PARIS).

B.6 Evidence of Mary's protection for humanity

Mary's support to humanity is clearly visible from the presence of 2 uncorrupt bodies of St catherine and St bernedethe. They are the present day witness to show mary's Immaculate conception. Immaculate conception is followed by the bodily assumption of mary.

Apparition of fatima (1917 may to october) clear shows, how she is being assigned by God, to look after the humans!


C. Today's readings:
Book of genesis(Gn 15;1-6:21:1-3) says" the word of the lord was spoken to Abraham in a vision," HAVE NO FEAR, ABRAHAM,I AM YOUR SHIELD;YOUR REWARD WILL BE VERY GREAT.....SO SARAH BORE A SON.......ISAAC..."
Letter to the Hebrews says(Heb11:8.11-12.17-19)" it was faith by Abraham obeyed the call....he set out without knowing where he was going.....it was equally by faith that Sarah......to conceive,she believed....It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test offered up Isaac........."

Gospel(Lk2:22-40) says"when the day came for them to purified .......two young pigeons....named simeon....Now master your servant go in peace.... You see this child: he is destined to fall and for the rising of many.......Anna.......serving God night and day .....to praise God.

Reminds the importance of faith on God's message to lead a Happy life. Mary and Joseph has given good examples of leading our lifes in great faith of our creator God.



Conclusions:

Understanding about mary and Joseph is very important to lead a happy life as catholic. Jesus clearly shows how we should manage mental disagreements(Gethsemani) and physical sufferings(at the cross) that we will encounter, in leading our lives. This concept has been well established among christian denomination, without giving much consideration to Holy Family. The role of Mary and Joseph, allow us to develop faith to God,and essentially they set an example of leading our life according to God's will. As discussed in the advent: there are 4 steps to be followed for us to understand the God'S will. Peaceful,worry less & finally reach a happy mind is essential to achieve. Then you start converting your talents to energy for the benefit of the society- to show the grace of God in creating you. In this process, developing a worry less mind is very important and the example set by Mary and Joseph is very important. The delay in establishing  necessary dogma's with regard to Mary and Joseph, may have a negative influence to reach worry less mind among humans. Never too late, today catholic church has developed such dogma's, Hence anybody who wants to reflect more on Holy Family can constructively do so. Unfortunately our other christian denomination are missing this part, since they have departed much earlier than these dogma's are established!.

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Cycle 2:season:Christmas:No1 25/12/2014 Peaceful Catholic(Nativity of The lord)-general version(please note that all 3 liturgy cycles the readings are same)

A.  Back ground:

A.1 PURPOSE OF ADVENT

Today we remember the birth of Christ. Previous 4 sundays we reflected how to give rise to christ birth in our life. From today until 6 th January we will be reflecting about the characteristics of holy family and Jesus, comparing their earthly characters. In order to understand this one should have given birth to Jesus, by understanding and following the knowledge and actions given in advent season and be convinced about Catholicism. Otherwise the reflection need to carry out in christmas time will be difficult!.


What are the essential difference in character of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Jesus is the main outcome in this process. He has lead the human life which is both human and divine. Mary has clearly shown us, how she has been chosen by God to bring Jesus to this world, while Joseph character is allowing us to reflect more how he led his life as the foster father of Jesus. His character is somewhat hidden, for us to reflect more and see how he supported the God's plan!. Next 2 sundays we reflect more on characteristics of Holy family and characteristics of Jesus both human and divine nature.

A.2- CHRISTMAS SEASON


From December 25 th we start the Christmas season until January 6th. December 25 th we remember the historical event of Jesus birth. Jesus birth essentially remind us
(1) Promised messiah to relieve human to reach the intended happiness of God's creation
(2) How God beautifully send Jesus, like a normal human to this world. In order to do that how HE selected Holy Mary and Joseph
And of their virginal marriege.
(3)Jesus has shown the human + divine characteristics; Mary has shown how to follow God's will and Joseph represent all of human(including saints)how we should carry out God's will.

B. Preamble for today's reading:

B.1 Beauty of God's plan
God in HIS own wisdom, has decided how to send HIS own son Jesus to this world to show us a path for gaining happiness. the birth of Christ we remember age old prophecies that were made 500 of years in advance  fulfilled,that a virgin would conceive (Is7:14), and redeemer would be born of the tribe of Judah(Gen 49:10),

The season of advent which prepares for Christmas reminds us that God never ceases to come to us in order to create"New Heavens,new earth where according to his promise,the justice of God will reside"(2 Pt3:13)


But in order for God to come among us,we must welcome him."Here I stand,knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and open the door,I will enter his house"(Rv3:20) Each year Christmas allow us to realize again the necessity of creating a place for God to come &reside among us"&"create with us A NEW EARTH".

B.2 Historical Jesus and living jesus

We cannot separate the jesus of history for what some people call the Christ of Faith. They are one and the same. We need to put Jesus back to the first century context. If we disconnect Him from history or come up with some sort of New Age Jesus, who is detached from the cross or the resurrection, we have lost His real identity. The same goes with anti-Semitism in the name of a Jesus whose first century Jewish ness has been ignored or suppressed. How are we going out to sort out the real Jesus from the fake, unless Jesus anchored in the historical gospels?. There are countless people who has disconnected Jesus from reality and then manufactured their own version of Him.- A Jesus who teaches them what they want to hear rather than what they separately need to know. This Jesus is anemic- powerless and pale, because He exists only in their imaginations. All the while the authentic Jesus- with His love and strength, His miraculous power and saving grace- stand patiently by. So many people are creating Jesus who matches their preconceptions about what they think He should be like, but in the process they are missing the real Jesus!.

B.3 Back ground of Christmas:

The feast of christmas," the mass of christ" is not one of the church's earliest festivals; in fact birth of christ used to be celebrated on January 6th in union of the visit of the Magi. The feast of nativity became distinct in the eastern church during the 3rd century, and at Rome about the year 300. Here the date was december 25 th, but other parts of the church kept different days for a long time. It is likely that the selection of the december date was due to an effort to supplant the great Roman Solar feast'natalis solis invicti'(the birth of the unconquerable sun God, by the celebration of the earthly birth of "The light of the world", who indeed is so unconquerable as our lord? Wrote st chrysostom in the 4th century.'HE IS THE SUN OF JUSTICE'.

B.4. Pope's Masses on christmas


The pope used to say mid night mass of the angels in the great basilica of St Mary Major, where the relics of the manager are preserved, to recall our Lords Eternal Birth in the bosom of the Father' before the dawn of ages'.

The second mass at day break, 'The mass of the shepard' was said by the pope in St Anastasia's church.(Resurrection)basilica in Jerusalem, and it was the official chapel of the imperial Byzantine court at Rome. This Mass was to commemorate the human birth of the"Light of Light"

The 3rd and solemn mass of the feast is then celebrated in St Peters and was meant to symbolize christ's birth in the hearts of the faithful, and is coming in glory to every human. This 3rd mass came to be favorite one of the court ceremonies, such as the coronation of Charlenmagne by the pope in 800, or that of William of Normandy in westminister in 1066.

B.5. Popular catholic customs:

Crib
St Francis of Assisi, originated, to adore holy babe in 1223. He erected a representation of the stable and manger with a live ox and Ass in a forest-cave near the little town of graccio. During the Mass, the saint preached to the villagers on the limit less mercy, pity and love of God, and the image of the Babe in his arms was seen to come to life for a short space.

Christmas Carols and Trees

 In the 11th and 12th centuries the German. Christmas songs and 'Noels' came into being, and 'Carols' in 13th century. Jacopane da Todi at1306 AD is regarded as the composer of the charming 'stabat Mater Specioosa'. In the 10th century appeared the tradition that the trees and blosom on christmas night. Candles on a Christmas tree are 1 st mentioned in 13 th century epic. Our christmas tree seems to have of been German origin, and is symbolic both of the tree of life in the garden of Eden and of the tree of the Cross. It is earliest reference is 1605, but it did not attain popularity in Germany and England until about 1840.


C. Today's readings:

Vigil Mass:
Mt(1:18-25) " ...... The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call Him Emmanuel, a name which means' God-is-with-us'......."

Act of apostles(Ac 13:16-17.22-25) says
"............I am not the one you imagine me to be: that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undue His sandal"

Prophet isaiah(Is 62:1-5) says:"
"About Zion I will not be silent....."
All readings summerises how the propercy of birth of Jesus is fulfilled!

Mass during night:

Lk 2:1-14 says"........and suddenly with the angel there was a great thrown of the heavenly host praising God and singing
'Glory to God and highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy His favor"

Paul(Tt 2:11-14) says "God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race......"

Prophet isaiah says(Is 9:1-7)"the people that walked in darkness has seen a great light...."

All readings Reminds; about the good news of great Joy.


Mass at dawn:
Lk 2:15-20:
"Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepard said to one another 'let us go to Bethlehem..........and the Shepard went back glorifying and praising God for all......."

Paul says(Tt 3:4-7)" ...........it was for no reason except His own compassion that He saved us......."
 Prophet Isaiah says" say to the daughter of Zion, 'look your savior comes......."

All readings reminds that we have to give birth to christ in our lives!

Mass at day time:
Jn 1:1-18: " .... But to all who did accept Him
He gave power to become children of God......"

Letter to Hebrew(Heb1:1-6)" at various times in the past and in various different ways God spoke to our ancestors, through the prophets ; but in our own time, the last days, He has spoken to us through His son........"

Prophet Isaiah(is 52:7-10) says" how beautiful on the mountains,are the feet of one who brings good news........"

All readings reminds that when you follow the new message of jesus you will be relieved from fear and sorrow, in the present life!

Conclusion:

In advent we were requested to understand the basic actions needed to plant birth of christ. In christmas season we were invited to know further the historical background of how God has send His own son for our salvation. Special attention to be made about how Jesus came through Holy Mary
and St Joseph in to this world. The role of Mary and joseph in facilitation Jesus to come to this world.
Christmas day we will be mainly reminded
(1)Historical birth of jesus Christ
(2)Singing of angels at the birth of Jesus- carols
(3)Reminding the salvation for humans by christmas tree- introduction of original tree of life at the garden of Eden!.


Christianity is the new message of LOVE to all humans in this world. Until one feels the spirit of Christmas,there is no Christmas!.

Wish you a Happy Christmas!

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com