INTRODUCTION

Historically, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to a young virgin from Galilee named Mary. Theologically, Christmas is the celebration of the mystery of the incarnation. The word incarnation means to Take flesh. We believe that God became flesh like one of us in the person of Jesus.

The mystery of the incarnation is at the heart of the celebration of Christmas. Jesus the Prince of peace, Emmanuel, God is with us was born to redeem us and to reconcile humanity to God.
Christmas marks the birth of our redemption and the fulfillment of the promised of salvation made by God to the people of Israel.

At Christmas, the Almighty becomes a child and asks for our help and protection. His way of showing that he is God challenges our way of being human. By knocking at our door, he challenges us and our freedom; he calls us to examine how we understand and live our lives. The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanitys enlightenment after an age of darkness.

Pope Benedicts Message for Christmas in 2005

Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world. For this reason, the words of the Christmas Gospel: "the true Light that enlightens every man was coming into this world" (Jn 1:9) resound now more than ever as a proclamation of salvation. "It is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear" .

OPENING PRAYER
Father in Heaven, this joyful evening is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity.

Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving.
Almighty Father, bless us and the feast that You have provided for us, let us be thankful for the true gift of Christmas, your Son. Amen.

OPENING SONG
READING: Luke 2:1-7 (The Birth of Jesus)

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.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned

Guide Questions:

a)

What do you think the best (lasting) Christmas present your self needs this Christmas?

b) What do you think you can offer to help your buddy attain his/her best (lasting) Christmas present this Christmas?

TALK OF S. PRECY
GIVING OF GIFTS

CLOSING PRAYER

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.