These are the words of the Christmas Proclamation from the Roman Martyrology…
The Twenty-fifth Day of December, when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world, when God in the beginning created heaven and earth, and formed man in His own likeness;
When century upon century had passed since the Almighty set His bow in the clouds after the Great Flood, as a sign of covenant and peace;
In the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith, came out of Ur of the Chaldees;
In the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus from Egypt;
Around the thousandth year since David was anointed King;
In the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel;
In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
In the year seven hundred and fifty-two since the foundation of the City of Rome;
In the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the whole world being at peace…
JESUS CHRIST, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to consecrate the world by His most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since His conception, was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and was made man:
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
This proclamation, which can be prayed as part of the Liturgy of the Hours before the Christmas Vigil Masses, reminds us of an essential truth. Our Lord Jesus Christ was truly and really born of the Virgin Mary, and began His holy and blessed life upon this earth.
He walked upon the same soil that you and I walk, felt that same warmth of the sun and cold of the night that you and I feel, and went about teaching the Good News to all the world. That Good News, that most holy gospel, is the reason we gather in this church of the Blessed Sacrament tonight and this morning. May this holy day of Christmas, which begins the joy of Christmas season, be for you and your families a new beginning; a beginning where we appreciate the presence of Christ throughout our whole year, and especially in the new year of 2022!
Let us truly KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!
~Fr. Martin Gallagher
I wish to say to all you, parishioners, friends, and neighbors, thank you for all your beautiful Christmas cards and various gifts! Your generosity and kindness, with cards, food, snacks, gift cards, and other items, has truly touched my heart, and I am so thankful that so many of you remembered me during this holy season. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH, and may the Lord bless and reward you for your kindness!
~Fr. Martin