Reading and meditation on the Word of God on the Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025

Delivered by Thia Santos from Church of Divine Mercy of Shah Alam in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Isaiah 9: 1-6; Rs psalm 96: 1-2a.2b-3.11-12.13; Titus 2: 11-14; Luke 2: 1-14.THE BIRTH OF THE KING OF PEACE Our meditation on this Christmas Eve is called The Birth of the King ofPeace. At that time, the night was dark and quiet. People had stopped theirdaily activities and were resting in their homes. Only the lights from thehouses brightened the night. Very few people were still awake. Among them werethe shepherds in the fields, who stayed awake to watch over their sheep. There was, however, one unusual journey. A husband and wife, Joseph andMary, were traveling a long distance—about 250 kilometers—uphill from Judeatoward Jerusalem. Mary was heavily pregnant. When they arrived in Bethlehem,they could not find a place for her to give birth. They were forced to leavethe town and walk about 20 more kilometers at night. They finally reached agrassy area on the edge of town. The only place available for the birth was ananimal stable. It was there that the first Christmas happened: Jesus Christ wasborn. In Bethlehem, while it was still dark, the shepherds were on one hill, andJoseph, Mary, and baby Jesus were on another hill. The distance between the twohills was about 5 to 6 kilometers. Voices from one hill could be heard from theother, but people could only be seen as tiny figures. The night was very dark,and there was no light in the stable where Jesus was born, so the shepherds sawno sign at all. But God opened their hearts through the message of the angels.One by one, together with their animals, the shepherds hurried to the stable.There, the first Christmas revelation happened: Jesus appeared to simple peoplewho were often seen as sinners—the shepherds. The first people to see the Son of God, Jesus Christ, when He entered theworld were His parents, Joseph and Mary. They were chosen by God, simple peoplewho were very faithful and obedient. The second group was the shepherds—poor,simple, and considered sinners. With them were their sheep, representing allcreation. After that, Jesus would be revealed to all people. The peace of Christmas is the heavenly light of God’s presence that breaksthrough the darkness of night. It comes first to a family, then to the poor andsimple, and finally spreads joy to the whole world. Merry Christmas to all ofyou.Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, we hope that thisChristmas Eve celebration will fill us with true peace from You, that couldlead our lives every day. Our Father who art in heaven ... Inthe name of the Father ...