Christmas Eve

Our pilgrims joined tens of thousands of other pilgrims from around the world in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  The day began with a grand march, featuring many different bands, through the street believed to be the one which Mary and Joseph walked on their way to the place of the nativity. The march lasted for more than two hours. People of different ages, cultures and religions together joyfully participated in the festive march; all of whom were filled with great joy.  The day was crowned with a midnight Mass in which some seminarians served at the Mass, while other shared the gift of their voices in the Choir to make the liturgy very colorful, inspirational and transformative. The liturgy ended at 1:30 A.M., followed by a social prepared by the hosts.

Celebrating our first Christmas away from our families was a sacrifice, but it was a worthwhile one in order to be in the birthplace of our savior. Joining our voices with the heavenly host in praising God with the heavenly song of the Gloria, in the land where it was sung first by the multitude of angels on our Lord’s birth, permanently transformed many of us.  The experience of sharing the joy of Christmas from Christ’s birthplace can’t be explained. In meditating upon what was taking place, it was clear that God’s love that dwelt among men. The unity of people of different religions who came to Bethlehem for Christmas was a clear sign that no merely human celebration can bring all people together in joy; this was a symbol of unity and a grace of God for inter-religious dialogue. Just as the shepherds went out to give witness to Mary and Joseph from what they heard from the angel, all are commissioned to do the same.