There are masses assigned for Christmas eve, the vigil of Christmas, Mass at night, Mass in the morning and Mass during the day. It’s like the significance of the feast can’t be captured in a single event. We hear about the meaning of Christmas from the perspective of Old Testament prophecy and David’s kingship, from genealogical charts and gospel witnesses, from poetic refrains and theological reflections. But, as no less an authority than Charlie Brown attests, what we want to hear is the story, the retelling of the events of the birth of this child. “Today is born for you a Savior.” This sacred day provides an opportunity to recall our own story of grace, that God has been with us from our mother’s womb.
