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A Knock at Midnight - Christmas, Midnight Homily Msgr. Charles Pope December 24, 2015 In this reflection, perhaps we can consider but one line in the Gospel which both challenges our love, and is a sign of God's humble and abiding love for us: For there was no room for them in the Inn. I. The Cold - There is a knock at midnight. Joseph, speaking on behalf of both Mary and Jesus (who is in her womb still), seeks entrance to the homes and lodgings of those in Bethlehem. And even though the Jewish people placed a great deal...

New Catholic question about Midnight Mass. We are recent converts from Protestant church(es). I loved that our Catholic church was having a Midnight Mass, with carols, as I have always loved these. Coming out at midnight, the whole world is still — it makes me think of the night Christ was born. I have attended many midnight services over the years, but they ALL had a candles-only part of the service, usually we would sing Silent Night. It was probably at the end of the service. Didn’t matter which denomination the church was, or non-denom. Is this not done in...

Dear Brothers and Sisters, “The time came for Mary to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:6f.). These words touch our hearts every time we hear them. This was the moment that the angel had foretold at Nazareth: “you will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:31). This was the moment that Israel had...

December 25, 2005Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass at Midnight Psalm: Sunday 3 Reading IIs 9:1-6 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.For every boot that tramped in battle,every cloak rolled in blood,will be burned as fuel for flames.For a child is born to...

December 25, 2004Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mass at Midnight Reading IIs 9:1-6 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.For every boot that tramped in battle,every cloak rolled in blood,will be burned as fuel for flames.For a child is born to us, a son...

Hamas Members Mark Christmas, Santa Style -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, December 26 2003 @ 04:58 PM EST Arafat's Kefiyeh marks his empty chair at the Midnight Mass in Bethlehem (AFP) "It is a humanitarian national initiative that we really appreciate," Atallah Hannah of the Greek Orthodox Church in occupied Jerusalem told IslamOnline.net. By YASSER AL BANNA GAZA CITY - A group of Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Bethlehem put on the famous red and white fur Santa hats and Santa suits, dropping gifts on Christian orphans, in a token of religious tolerance where the Christian tradition has it Jesus was born on...

1. Descendit de caelis Salvator mundi. Gaudeamus!The Saviour of the world has come down from heaven. Let us rejoice!This proclamation, filled with deep rejoicing,echoed in the night of Bethlehem.Today the Church renews it with unchanged joy:the Saviour is born for us!A wave of tenderness and hope fills our hearts,together with an overpowering need for closeness and peace.In the crib we contemplate the Onewho stripped himself of divine gloryin order to become poor, driven by love for mankind.Beside the crib the Christmas tree,with its twinkling lights,reminds us that with the birth of Jesusthe tree of life has blossomed anew in the...

<p>Vatican City — Pope John Paul II ushered in the Christmas holiday Wednesday, lighting a candle for peace before celebrating midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in a test of his frail health. The 83-year-old pope cut back his holiday activities only slightly, insisting on celebrating the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, packed with pilgrims and tourists.</p>

December 25, 2003 Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass at Midnight Psalm: Thursday 2 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading I Is 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian....

Pope Insists On Celebrating Mass. VATICAN CITY, Dec. 24, 2003. The Vatican has dropped two traditional papal events — the ordination of bishops Jan. 6 and baptisms on Jan. 11 — to ease up on John Paul's schedule. With a creche behind him, the pope reads his speech to cardinals and bishops for the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings earlier this week (Photo: AP) . (AP) Pope John Paul II ushered in the Christmas holiday Wednesday, lighting a candle for peace before celebrating midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in a test of his frail health. The 83-year-old pope cut...

Does anyone have a listing of the DirectTV channels that will be showing the Midnight Mass tonight?

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul led Roman Catholics into Christmas on Thursday, calling on a world caught up in conflict to open itself to the peace of the infant Jesus. "Too much blood is still being shed on earth," the 83-year-old pontiff said in the homily of a Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica that once again tested his strength. The mass from Christendom's largest church, marking the Polish pope's 26th Christmas as leader of the world's one billion Catholics, was broadcast live to nearly 50 countries. "Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful...

BOSTON -- As millions of Catholics prepare for the traditional midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Boston Archdiocese is making an unusual plea to parishioners. NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that church leaders are asking anyone with cold or flu symptoms to take certain precautions and avoid some rituals. The announcement comes days after two elderly men on Cape Cod died of flu complications. But public health officials warn against overreactions saying the cases are not unusual considering the ages of the victims, 89 and 90. Parishioners attending Christmas Mass are urged not to shake hands as a sign of...