Pope's Intentions
Universal: That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will.
For Evangelization: That parents may be true evangelizers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - Feast - Year B
Commentary of the day
Saint John Chrysostom (c.345-407), priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church
Homily for Christmas ; PG 56, 392 (trans. ©Friends of Henry Ashworth, 1981)
"The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him"
What more shall I say of this mystery? I see a carpenter and a manger, infant and swaddling clothes, a virgin giving birth without the necessaries of life; nothing but poverty and complete destitution. Have you ever seen wealth in such great penury? How could he who was rich have become poor for our sake (2Cor 8,9), so poor that he had neither bed nor bedding but was laid in a manger? O immeasurable wealth concealed in poverty! He lies in a manger yet he rocks the whole world. He is bound with swaddling bands, yet he breaks the bonds of sin. Before he could speak he taught the wise men and converted them. What else can I say?
Here is the newborn babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. With him are Mary, virgin and mother, and Joseph who was called his father. Joseph was only betrothed to Mary when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her; so he was at a loss as to what he should call the child. While he was in this perplexity a message from heaven came to him by the voice of an angel. “Do not be afraid, Joseph. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child” (Mt 1,20)… Why was Christ born of a virgin, and her virginity preserved inviolate?! Because of old the devil had deceived the virgin Eve, Gabriel brought the Good News to the Virgin Mary. Having fallen into the trap, Eve spoke the word that led to death. Having received the Good News, Mary gave birth to the incarnate Word who has brought us eternal life.