Christmas Day Mass

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
for the Feast of Christmas 2005
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Sunday, 25th December, 2005, at 11.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The one who brings good news and heralds peace is our God.  All the ends of our world shall see that God saves.  We will see his glory as the only Son of the Father.

Today I offer Mass for all of you and your loved ones, that Jesus who came two thousand years ago will touch you just as really in this Eucharist and help you to know that he is always near.

Today for the first time in the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, I will give the Papal Blessing at the end of Mass, which carries with it a forgiveness of sins proper to the coming of God.

Let us prepare our hearts for the Eucharist and for its special blessings as we call to mind our sins.

Homily

“To all who received him, who believed in his name, he became power to become the children of God.”  (John 1:12)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we remember that our God came to us in the weakest and frailest human form; from the time of conception in his Mother’s womb, through the long nine months of pregnancy, to the day of his birth.  Indications had been given for centuries that this babe was for the fall and the rising of many, was the wonderful counsellor, mighty God, Prince of Peace, was the one for whom Israel had hoped for hundreds of years.

When we exchange Christmas gifts we try to say our thanks or speak of our esteem, love and friendship for others.  It is very appropriate that Christmas is a time for gift giving because God has given us himself.  All we have to do when God comes is to receive him and believe in him.

Many of you will go home or gather with others, will receive guests and try and make them feel welcome.  We all try a little bit harder if the guest has something that we really need:  this is what Jesus promises to bring us – eternal life, the support and love of God, the fact that at the end of this life’s journey we will come to peace and joy forever.

Jesus wants us to welcome him today with arms to receive his salvation, with a willing heart to embrace his counsel and protection and ready to leave everything to take our place in his kingdom. 

In one sense Christmas is a day when the cares and burdens of everyday are left aside.  We live, as we would want to live; well wishing, at peace and offering hope to others.  Today’s Mass challenges us, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of one who brings good news, heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation and tells us your God is King.”  (Isaiah 52:7)

We are not alone because we know that all the ends of the earth have seen God as Saviour.  Similarly, we are not the mere receivers of faxes, emails, Christmas cards.  God speaks to us in the person of his Son.  As we come to the manger and adore him, see his weakness and know that the love that he draws us to receive is also the love that he invites us to give.

Like John, we know with every other human being that we have life from him.  Like John, we are called to be witnesses to Jesus who speaks to us of God and gives us light and in accepting him to become children of God. 

Jesus, his Word, his Eucharist, is not here only for today.  He came as an innocent, lovable baby, who give us grace and truth that we need to overcome sin and become one with him.  We do know he will come back at the end of time to judge us on the choices we freely made, but he invites us as our closest friend who will never desert us, draws us with all the sympathy and peace that a baby shows, reminding us that there is hope.

Today in our world we are burdened by war, hunger, addictions to drug and alcohol, a sense that the world can attempt to live without its Creator and without the One who gave our human nature its dignity and beauty. 

Once again, we proclaim to our city the value of each human life from conception to natural death, we commit ourselves to care and proclaim the dignity of each human being and we seek in our families and communities to give even greater support to those who are weakest and most suffering.  We must continue to offer this service to a society, which is becoming increasingly pragmatic and profit oriented, ignoring the basic principles of human dignity and respect and the need to recognise and worship God.

“To all who believe in him he gave the power to become children of God.”  This means putting Jesus ahead of the fading glory and shifting hopes offered by the world.  It means listening to his voice, praying his Eucharist regularly and letting his love transform us.  He came in the weakness of the stable, lived a humble life, underwent the agony of the cross and offering us his spirit. 

We can be made into children of God, one with Christ.  We will have the promise of eternal life and the challenge and service we offer to family and to community will be not the absence of trial and struggle, but a peace which endures and makes us ambassadors of peace, justice and truth for our world. 

In welcoming Christ, let us embrace all that he came to give us.  Jesus, we praise you.  Come among us.  Make our hearts open and spirits willing to welcome you everyday, to show you to others, to know your constant love in my times of doubt.  A great light has indeed shone upon the earth.  Jesus, show us the way, you the only Son nearest the Father’s heart, who continue to make God known.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.