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FATHER MCBRIDE HOMILY REFLECTIONS |
Christmas Midnight Mass |
| READINGS: ABC Cycle
Is 9, 1-6 – God has brought us abundant Christmas joy.
Ti 2, 11-14 – The grace of God appears to us in Jesus.
Lk 2, 1-14 – The Crib Scene at Bethlehem.
The Story Of The Christmas Crib
On this most touching of Christian feasts, let us hear again the story of one of our most popular customs – the Christmas Crib.
In the last year of his life, Francis of Assisi told his friends, “This will be my final Christmas. I want to celebrate it in a new way.” Francis had a friend in the lovely mountain town of Greccio. His friend owned some land on a hillside opposite the town. Several grotto-like caves lined the hilly property. His friend gave him and his brothers the land to use as a hermitage.
Francis and a few of his disciples moved there at the beginning of advent. Francis confided to his friend that he would like one cave to be transformed into a Bethlehem scene. His friend lined the cave with straw. He installed a manger filled with straw and brought in an ox and a donkey. On the side he placed a small altar for Mass.
About an hour before midnight, the people of the village of Greccio came in procession to celebrate Christmas with Francis. Their stream of lanterns and candles looked like stars coming across the valley. As they sang the laude, the ancient Christmas carols of Umbria, they seemed to echo the Gloria of the angels in Luke’s Gospel.
When they arrived at the cave, they were charmed by the sight of the ox and donkey and manger. And none more delighted than their children. The Eucharistic celebration began. At homily time, Francis stood by the manger to talk about the birth of Jesus. A spell of religious awe overtook the listeners. One account says that at the end of his homily, a gold light filled their assembly. They saw Francis reach into the empty manger and lift out a baby and cradle him in his arms. And then he held the baby out to them, saying: “My brothers and sisters, behold the Savior of the world.” And all of them were joined as one in the mystery of the Incarnation.
After the Eucharist, Francis disappeared. Not until dawn, when the morning star hovered in the sky, did someone find him. He was absorbed in prayer, his face turned toward Bethlehem.
And that is how our custom of having a Christmas crib began. Through the centuries, Christians have found a thousand ways to create their own version of the crib. By bringing to life the Christmas scene, millions of believers have been put in touch with this profound mystery of God’s love for us.
What does Francis teach us by his Vision of the Crib?
(1) See the simplicity of God’s mystery. Our education makes us look at the complicated side of life. Our culture prizes the complexity of a scientific world. The result is we approach God as such a confusing reality that we fail to see the simplicity of his love. Francis brings us a birth room and a child on a hillside. He tells us that God has the simplicity of this child.
(2) Observe how God comes amid the poor. Since God is the greatest there is, it seems to us he should be found in the palaces of the mighty. Francis builds his crib scene on a road near a poor village. God is always to be found among the poor, the needy, the suffering.
(3) See how human God can be. What is more captivating than a few hundred families singing carols at midnight beneath a starry sky in the hills of Umbria? What is more soul satisfying than cradling a baby with love in the mountain air? What better way could God have chosen to show us how much he thinks of us? What better method could Francis have picked to communicate how caring God is?
As we gather by the altar and the Crib, let us sing Gloria and thanks to the Holy Child who brings us such joy… And another thanks to Francis for the glorious idea of a crib.
PRAYER
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. Glory to you on this feast of your birth in Bethlehem. We are grateful for the simplicity of your mystery. We are ennobled by your choice to come into the world as a human being. We are inspired to search for you among the poor and the humble and to be humble and poor in our own way. We rejoice in your birth and seek to live better lives as a result. Amen.
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Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., |
was ordained in 1953. He has served as professor, novice master, university president and was the founder and executive director of the department of religious education at the National Catholic Educational Association. The U.S. Catholic bishops appointed him to write the catechesis in preparation for the second pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II. Fr. McBride has lectured and written widely — with 40 books and 200 articles having been published. He currently serves on the USCCB Committee for Catechesis as well as the Board of Directors for Our Sunday Visitor and the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College. He lives at St. Joseph Priory on the St. Norbert College campus, where he continues his writing and retreat/workshop ministries.
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Archived Homilies and Reflections |
| -Advent Reflection by Fr. Jeremy Tobin, O. Praem. (Archived December 24, 2011) |
| -Father McBride Homily Reflections Fourth Sunday of Advent (Archived December 21, 2011) |
| -Use Your Soul Power, Or Lose Your Soul By Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. (Archived December 16, 2011) |
| -Sharing the Grace of Conversion by Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived November 14, 2011) |
| -Who Are You to Judge Another? By Fr. Tim Shillcox, O.Praem. (Archived September 27, 2011) |
| -Winning By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived September 13, 2011) |
| -Living on God's Grid By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived August 19, 2011) |
| -Sharing Our Abundance By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived August 10, 2011) |
| -The Sower By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. |
| -God Loves a Cheerful Giver By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived July 14, 2011) |
| -We Are Already Living Our Eternal Life By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. |
| -Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! Easter Vigil/Easter – April 23/24, 2011 by Fr. Andy Cribben O. Praem. |
| -Wednesday of Holy Week April 20, 2011 By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived April 26, 2011) |
| -Jesus Is Life By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived April 21, 2011) |
| -The Blind May See By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived April 15, 2011) |
| -The Strategy For Converting People To Christ By Fr. Al McBride, O. Praem. (Archived April 4, 2011) |
| -Forgiveness By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived March 22, 2011) |
| -Repent! The Kingdom of God is at Hand By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived February 26, 2011) |
| -"Peace that the world cannot give or take away" By Father Tim Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived January 25, 2011) |
| -By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived January 19, 2011) |
| -A Christmas Reflection, 2010 By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived January 4, 2010) |
| -The Least Among Us By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived December 23, 2010) |
| -Go Boldly and Simply and Give Witness to His Message By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived December 17, 2010) |
| -It Is of a New Order By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (archived December 8, 2010) |
| -Bendict XVI and the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman By Rev. Alfred McBride, O.Praem. (Archived November 19, 2010) |
| -The Challenge of Facing Hardship While Remaining Steadfast in Faith By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived October 15, 2010) |
| -Go Boldly and Simply and Give Witness to His Message By Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived October 12, 2010) |
| -You Can't Serve Two Masters Or Two Mothers Either By Fr. Al McBride, O. Praem. (Archived September 24, 2010) |
| -You Can't Take It with You by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived September 13, 2010) |
| -Martha + Mary = Hospitality By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived August 2, 2010) |
| -Who is Neighbor? By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived July 21, 2010) |
| -Summer: a chance to relax, reflect and pray by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived July 13, 2010) |
| -A Tale of Two Dads By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived June 26, 2010) |
| -Corpus Christi: recognizing Christ in the Eucharist and our neighbor By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived June 18, 2010) |
| -Ascension of the Lord By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived June 7, 2010) |
| -God - source of anxiety or peace By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived May 12, 2010) |
| -Kolbe: The Angel of Auschwitz By Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. (Archived April 30, 2010) |
| -The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ The 2nd word * Luke 23:39-43. Palm Sunday, March 28th 2010 * St. Norbert Abbey By Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O.Praem. (Archived April 14, 2010) |
| - Catholics Come Home: It is about Jesus by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived March 29, 2010) |
| -The Transfiguration by By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived March 22, 2010) |
| -The Feast of St Andrew - Apostle
Diocesan Priests' Penance Service Reflection by Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived March 2, 2010) |
| -And There is Haiti... by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived February 11, 2010) |
| -Confidence by Fr. Andy Cribben O. Praem. (Archived January 26, 2010) |
| -The Sacred Vocation of Mother by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived by January 14, 2010) |
| -A Christmas Reflection by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived January 1, 2010) |
| -In Principio Erat Verbum A Meditation on the Beginning of John's Gospel Part 2 by Brother Dennis Butler, O. Praem. (Archived December 23, 2009) |
| -In Principio Erat Verbum A Meditation on the Beginning of John's Gospel Part 1 by Brother Dennis Butler, O. Praem. (Archived December 15, 2009) |
| -A Feast of Gratitude - Eucharist National Thanksgiving, November 26, 2009 by Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived December 7, 2009) |
| -Love Your Enemies, Pray For Your Persecutors by Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived November 24, 2009) |
| -God's Priceless Kindness, Forbearance, and Patience by Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived November 9, 2009) |
| -Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me. Mark 9:37 by Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived October 28, 2009) |
| -Imitation Not Admiration by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived October 6, 2009) |
| -Hope and Healing for All by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived September 16, 2009) |
| -Vocation Begins with God - and With Desire by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived September 8, 2009) |
| -The Assumption by Fr. Roman Vanasse, O. Praem. (Archived September 1, 2009) |
| -A Season of Grief by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived August 8, 2009) |
| -Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two... Mark 6.7 By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived July 20, 2009) |
| -What does St. Paul, the Church's First Theologian,
Mean by The Church? by Father Alfred McBride, O.Praem. (Archived July 14, 2009) |
| -PRAYING THE HARD THINGS by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived June 29, 2009) |
| -A Pentecost Reflection by Fr. John Bostwick, O.Praem. (Archived June 12, 2009) |
| -A Priest, An Educator, A Congressman, A Homily for the Funeral of Father Robert Cornell, O.Praem. by Rev. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. (Archived June 1, 2009) |
| -Mary as Model of Original Innocence and Fidelity by Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem. (Archived May 18, 2009) |
| -CHRIST IS RISEN + INDEED, HE IS RISEN! by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived May 8, 2009) |
| -It's God's Morning Again in the Church by Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., (Archived April 22, 2009) |
| -Behold the Wondrous Cross by Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem., (Archived April 10, 2009) |
| -A Sign of Our Resurrection by Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., (Archived April 1, 2009) |
| -Touch the Restless Heart by Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., (Archived March 25, 2009) |
| -A Life Changing Event by Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., (Archived March 13, 2009) |
| -The Desert Experience by Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. (Archived March 9, 2009) |
| -Conversion by Fr. Roman Vanasse, O. Praem. (Archived February 25, 2009) |
| -5 Steps in the Fall From Discipleship by Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. (Archived February 9, 2009) |
| -The Mystery of the Incarnation An excerpt from a sermon by St. Augustine (Archived January 16, 2009) |
| -The Story of the Christmas Crib by Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. (Archived January 6, 2008) |
| -Advent Reflection by Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. (Archived December 22, 2008) |
| -Thanksgiving by Fr. Roman Vanasse, O. Praem. (Archived December 3, 2008) |
| -Homily for the Inauguration of Thomas Kunkel by Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem. (Archived November 24, 2008) |
| -October 19 Reflection by Fr. Bill Ribbens, O. Praem (Archived October 31, 2008) |
| -God's Utopia: Kingdom Banquet By Fr Alfred McBride (Archived October 24, 2008) |
| -Mother of Sorrows By Fr Roman Vanasse (Archived October 1, 2008) |
-Feast of St. Augustine August 28, 2008 Excerpt from the History of St. Norbert by Kirkfleet
with commentary from Abbot Gary Neville (Archived September 10, 2008) |
| -Almost Three Years! Reflections Upon Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath by Fr. Andy Cribben (Archived August 27,2008) |
| -Letters Written in Good Faith Translated and edited by Dr. Walter Lagerwey Pt 2 (Archived August 6, 2008) |
| -Crossing Borders -
From the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time BY Steve Rossey (Archived June, 24, 2008) |
| -The Guest is Christy By Fr. Alfred McBride (Archived July 9, 2008) |
| -Letters Written in Good Faith Translated and edited by Dr. Walter Lagerwey (Archived June 25, 2008) |
| -Loved By a Duck By Mark D Falcone (Archived June 4, 2008) |
| -The Spirit Breathes Us In To Give Us Love By Alfred McBride (Archived 5-19-2008) |
| -Earth Week By Steve Herro (Archived 4-30-2008) |
| -Lazarus By Steve Rossey (Archived 4-16-2008) |
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