Reading I (Ecclesiasticus)

This fascinating text from the book of Ecclesiasticus appears to be a handbook, or a point of reference for those Jewish people who lived among foreign nations (the diaspora); its purpose, it would appear, is to offer the guidance of fidelity with regard to the customs and laws of God’s chosen people Israel - words of encouragement when far from home. Its purpose therefore is to offer guidance, to activate memory, and to promote attachment to the living word of God.

Therefore, this reading personifies the wisdom of God (God-in-action) who encourages those who are displaced to keep the faith. It is the sign and the symbol of integrity/wholeness offered to those who reside in foreign lands, those who are displaced, so that through wisdom they might experience attachment and belonging - a sign and symbol of future hope. In addition, the God of Israel is perceived as being everywhere -  providing a safe place in unfamiliar territory.

Reading II (Ephesians)

We have been adopted by God to be his sons and daughters, and from the foundations of the world “God has chosen us in Christ” to experience the attachment  of being a beloved son or daughter wherever our geographical location may be. The prayer expressed through Paul in this reading is “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you toa full knowledge of him.”

In this way, our eyes will be opened and we will perceive this present and future union with God.

III  (John’s Gospel)

The Word of God, Jesus Christ becomes man in order to bring light to the world, “a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.”

This is a spiritual experience that is offered to the sons and daughters that accept the word of God into their lives, and make it their own - the essence of attachment. Through this gift each of us is graced with the gift of being an adopted child, both male and female.

The Word was made flesh, and he lived among us. In this sense the eternal Word is in the ground of our being, and from that place gives light, peace and hope to those who accept him.

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Today’s Liturgy reminds us that, unlike the secular ‘Christmas’ which seems these days to end on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, the real Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord carries us over into the New Year under the Patronage of Mary, Birth-giver of God, and beyond.

This reminder takes the form of the Prologue to St. John’s Gospel, the most important of all the Christmas readings and the Gospel of today’s Mass.

This Gospel is preceded by the extract from the Book of Wisdom which forms the Entrance Antiphon, in which we see the Word coming – ‘bounding down’ - from his throne in heaven amid the night of the world.

This year, this Sunday will act as a prelude to the Solemnity of Epiphany which falls on Tuesday of this week, a feast of light and revelation. This theme is taken up in today’s Collect.

It would be most appropriate to use the first of the Christmas Prefaces today, as this takes its inspiration from John 1:1-14.

 For The General Intercessions:

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That Christ’s faithful may carry always in their lives

the wonder of the Incarnation of the Word in Christ.

God of blessings,

in Christ you have become a Father to us

and have destined us for the redemption

that is ours through his Blood.

Let us bear faithfully

the seal of your Holy Spirit,

and live blameless lives

for the praise of your glory

and the consoling of your world.

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The hymns have been chosen from the Laudate hymnbook:

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Before the world had yet begun (L85)

Before the world began (L738 Iona)

Of the Father’s heart begotten (L160)

Jesus the Word has lived among us (L161)

Words of God, come down to earth (L741)