12/25/10 EASTER BEGINS DECEMBER 25. MERRY CHRISTMAS !

12/25/10 cblog EASTER BEGINS DECEMBER 25. MERRY CHRISTMAS, midnight mass, st basil ; m: "for those who grew up in the church, we've heard that story 100's of times...how treat it in a more innovative way ...retell the story..? Some of u know..my background as a criminal investigator prior to becoming a priest..5 imp questions..u've seen csi , law & order..first q is where..bethlehem..home scene ..family compound of david ...census..ordered to go to his hometown..it was inconvenient..mary was pregnant..he was elderly..prob been married before..I remember coming into arizona on motorcycle..tired..very disconcerting..no motel 6 ..a manger..then when..2000 years ago..census..joseph called ..time place..we don't know the day of Jesus birth ..because of a roman feast. Church decided to. Institute it on dec 25 ..mary is pregnant..gabriel announced it ..joseph told..holy spirit..how..who ...Jesus Christ..son of god..plan for our salvation..first people not intellectuals, not prominent..but shepherds..lowest level of society ..but called to come ..why ..for our salvation..enhance compassion, supress hatred, enhance serenity,suppress frustration..blueprint..that's why ..33 years later..completion of plan ..sacrifice blood of lamb..sacrifice on calvary..sacrifice..key to eternal life, recompense for adam..brokenness we thrive on..lower instincts..human cravings..all suppressed in the blood of the lamb..all set aside w/ crucifixion..which starts on christmas day..diff perspective ..why who what when and where..came in as light of the world..light..illuminate goodness ..chastize evil...lighten up future generation..light should shine thru..what say do ..how live ..mercy fearless..die for His message..that's what its all about, not just a tree & gifts ..commemorate honor Jesus Christ..gift to each of us..will eventually ..be united..father son spirit forever ..that's the gift..gifted in love ..lifted before the father..inspir and grace of the spirit..message of the day..wonder of humanity being of such importance..sustains us..gives us existence .."

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 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 is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this ...for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Tim 2.11-14 "Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good L

Luke 2.1-14 "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child While they were there, the time came for her to have her child and she gave birth to her firstborn son She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear The angel said to them,“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”