Christmas Mass times now available

By Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese

16 December 2003

During this sacred time, it is crucial that we take time to stop and reflect on the gracious gift that was offered by God through the birth of Jesus of Nazareth as God among us - Emmanuel. Unlike any other baby, the one born that first Christmas night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history.

Although he was born to Mary, Jesus had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). Mary allowed this gift to occur when she said 'yes' to the angel at the Annunciation. Jesus was God, the Creator of the universe. This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means "in the flesh." In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh.

He was born among us, in order that he might choose to die for us. Because of his birth, and more importantly, because of his death on the cross, we have been given a choice. If we choose now to allow Jesus Christ to love us personally as our Lord and Saviour when we die we will be born to eternal life.

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus in the parishes across Sydney, let us also take time to reflect on what the birth of Jesus means for us.

Click on this link to view the Christmas Mass times.