Clergy delivers uplifting message at Midnight Mass

Published 1:42 pm Monday, December 25, 2023

In a gathering of all denominations, the clergy of Diocese of Tyler offered hope and inspirational during Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

There were a number of services throughout the city on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Tyler.

On the chilly morning, the Cathedral was full as the Very Rev. Robert H. “Hank” Lanik, Father Steven Chabarria and Deacon Steve Curry conducted the “Soleminity of the Nativity of the Lord and Mass during the Night.”

It was the first time in many years that Bishop Joseph Strickland had not led the gathering.

The Cathedral was stunningly beautiful as it was awash with red and white poinsettias, Christmas trees with sparkling white lights, garland and the smell of pine.

Father Steven gave the Homily noting how people approach babies differently than adults. He said that is why Jesus came to the world as a baby and why people can easily approach the Lord.

“People have a license to be affectionate with other people’s children,” he said. “You see a baby. You go up to the baby and start making funny faces and talking baby talk. Now, I never in a thousand years would go up to a stranger and start making funny faces and making baby talk. But for a baby that is fine and appropriate.

“We see our Lord Jesus Christ in a manger. He wants us to have that freedom, that license to go up to Him and take Him in our arms and love Him. He wants us not to fear Him as He is some judge who is going to destroy us as we are ashamed of all things we have done. Yes there is a certain fear of the Lord we should have, a respectful fear. … But He wants to be able to come to Him as that child in the manger. He wants us to love Him, to be able to approach Him freely. Just as you would approach any child.

“Have the freedom to come to our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what He wants for us that all Christians would be able to approach our God as they would as if we saw Him as this child king.”

Father Steven followed with Jesus is the “cornerstone of our life. Not just once a year or twice a year. He wants to be in your life. He wants to be in your home. He wants to be a part of your family. He asks you to adopt Him. He was a born as an infant because He wants you to take Him into your arms. He died on the cross so you can find shelter under His wings. He did that because He wants to be with you forever.”

At 11:55 p.m., the Christmas Proclamation was read, followed by the processional hymn: “O’Come, All Ye Faithful.”

The first reading was Isaiah 9:1-6 and the second reading was Titus 2:11-14, plus the Gospel reading of Luke 2:1-14.

Father Steven followed with the Homily.

After The Lord’s Prayer, the Invitation to Communion was held with hymns “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, a solo of “O Holy Night” by Lucia Lopez and “Silent Night.”

The recessional hymn was “Joy to the World.”

The parish was founded in 1878 and the current church was dedicated in 1935. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler (33 counties in Northeast Texas).