Father Carroll's Christmas Homilies...Audio Recording of the Homilies Preached at the 4:30pm, 7pm, and 10pm Masses.

The audio recording of the above homily was preached at the 4:30pm Mass without a prepared text.

Homily for the Vigil Mass of Christmas

          Indeed the Lord delights in us…He delights in us so much that God the Father gave us the gift of His only begotten Son in which we gather to celebrate tonight.

          What more can we say about Christmas that hasn't been said before?  Perhaps we have heard it all, however even if we heard it all, we still need to be reminded.  In preparing for this day, a familiar hymn we sing is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”  The word “Emmanuel” as we heard in today’s Gospel means “God is with us.”  Tonight and tomorrow as you gather with family and friends don’t forget that God is with us.  Don’t let this be the only hour you mention or think of His name.  It’s easy to become distracted with details while preparing for gatherings.  Our Lord is with us all the time, not just on Christmas day!  Pray together as a family.  Keep God front and center...truly celebrate Christmas.  Take the joy of the Lord with you…into your homes and into your communities. 

          This is not a time to be silent.  Once again going back to the prophet Isaiah, “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet!”  On this day a child’s cry pierced the still of night and tonight resounds throughout the world.  A child’s cry moves a parent into action.  May we allow the resounding cry of the Christ child this night move us into action sharing the joy of this day with all we meet.

Homily for the Nativity of the Lord (Mass during the night)

          “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”  Tonight brothers and sisters we gather as a parish family to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

          There is something beautiful contained in Saint Paul’s letter to Timothy.  We heard in the second reading, “Beloved:  The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”  It’s a beautiful to think about how our Lord entered this world.  He didn't come down riding a cloud, but rather entered the world as an infant.  When we born we did not have money or possessions…we didn't even have clothes to wear that was of course until they were provided.  God stripped Himself of everything and it’s because of this those names listed in the prophet Isaiah have more meaning and power.

          Appearing to the shepherds the angel said, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy.”  This is a joyous day for Christians!  Tonight I invite you to take this good news of great joy with you!  On Christmas night excitement builds…allow that excitement to burst forth.  Live it!!!  Share it!!!  God is indeed GREAT!  Tonight as we go forth, let’s make every effort to share this good news that has been, is, and will forever be with us!