December 23, 2019 – The Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) family came together to celebrate the annual Christmas Mass, noontime, at the Issam Fares Hall on the Main Campus. NDU President, Fr. Pierre Najem, along with Fr. Samir Ghsoub, VP for administration, Fr. Boutros Bou Nassif, VP for finance, Fr. Khalil Rahme, Fr. Jean Pierre Eid, University Chaplain, Fr. Antonio Feghali, University Chaplain and Br. Johnny El Helou, University Chaplain celebrated the Mass. During Mass, the Pastoral Community Choir sang hymns in praise of the Lord.
President Fr. Pierre Najem delivered the Gospel reading of Luke 2:1-20:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
In his homily, Fr. Najem reflected on the current situation in Lebanon, and called us to go to Bethlehem: “Let us now go to Bethlehem” (Luke 2:15), where we will learn the true meaning of Christmas and discover that the life of God can enter into our hearts and dwell there.
He then entrusted our dear country and all those who govern us, to the Holy Family, our refuge and our place of rest.