Nativity of Our Lord
25 December 2019
25 December 2019
| Second reading Hebrews 1:1-6 |
|---|
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
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 into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John . He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he 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 into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'”)
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is only the Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John . He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he 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 into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'”)
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is only the Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
By Pietro S. Albano
As I look back at this year, I cannot forget how our union and the management locked horns due to dispute in our new contract. Way back in summer, the new contract was met by union members with anger, frustration, and disbelief. Views were expressed to the management, but to no avail. The last resort was to go on strike. Majority of members voted to strike which lasted for 14 days. Although I voted to strike, I did not join in at the onset for personal reasons.
Not joining in and just carrying on with the job seemed perfect. However, the strike continued with the management not relenting to the union's cry for a much fairer contract. In my 'comfort zone', I felt perturbed. Other union members in my team (we are a few) who decided not to join the strike met together to discuss what we should do. We decided that it was time to join in because we believed that it was unfair for our other colleagues fighting out there for everyone's benefit.
And so, for a week, I joined the picket line holding a placard, joining in the singing, or playing the tambourine. I met other members of the union whom I have never met before. I also saw other colleagues who are assigned to other sites. I came across colleagues from various fields of expertise and talents (Some even brought their little kids!). It felt good being with fellow fighters because it kept the flickering candle of hope alive. After that week, the union and management came together. An agreement was made to end the dispute and to address what we were fighting for.
Christmas, no matter how we romanticize it, is a time to get involved, to be in solidarity with others, to fight for something noble. Jesus, God's Word, did not settle in His comfort zone up above in the heavens. He, as the Gospel would put it "became flesh and lived among us". Let our actions make His presence even more felt by a world in need.
Prayer
As I look back at this year, I cannot forget how our union and the management locked horns due to dispute in our new contract. Way back in summer, the new contract was met by union members with anger, frustration, and disbelief. Views were expressed to the management, but to no avail. The last resort was to go on strike. Majority of members voted to strike which lasted for 14 days. Although I voted to strike, I did not join in at the onset for personal reasons.
Not joining in and just carrying on with the job seemed perfect. However, the strike continued with the management not relenting to the union's cry for a much fairer contract. In my 'comfort zone', I felt perturbed. Other union members in my team (we are a few) who decided not to join the strike met together to discuss what we should do. We decided that it was time to join in because we believed that it was unfair for our other colleagues fighting out there for everyone's benefit.
And so, for a week, I joined the picket line holding a placard, joining in the singing, or playing the tambourine. I met other members of the union whom I have never met before. I also saw other colleagues who are assigned to other sites. I came across colleagues from various fields of expertise and talents (Some even brought their little kids!). It felt good being with fellow fighters because it kept the flickering candle of hope alive. After that week, the union and management came together. An agreement was made to end the dispute and to address what we were fighting for.
Christmas, no matter how we romanticize it, is a time to get involved, to be in solidarity with others, to fight for something noble. Jesus, God's Word, did not settle in His comfort zone up above in the heavens. He, as the Gospel would put it "became flesh and lived among us". Let our actions make His presence even more felt by a world in need.
Prayer
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