Events to provide Christmas meals are planned for Skid Row, Pasadena and Hollywood Sunday, while children at Los Angeles International Airport will receive gifts from Los Angeles Airport Police officers.
Traditional Masses and church services celebrating the birth of Jesus will be held at churches throughout the region, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, where Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate the 12:30 p.m. Spanish-language Christmas Day Mass which will be streamed live.
English-language Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated at the cathedral at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Gomez will also celebrate Christmas Mass with inmates at the Men’s Central Jail.
“This Christmas, it is time for us to rediscover the beautiful truth about our lives, the beautiful vision of the human person that we find at the heart of the Gospel,” Gomez said in his Christmas message.
“This is my prayer for you this Christmas. I pray that we will be renewed in wonder, in sincere amazement at God’s love for us, a love that knows no limit. Pray for me, too, that together we will be renewed in Christmas joy.”
The Midnight Mission will begin distributing toys to thousands of children experiencing homelessness and serve Christmas brunch at 8:30 a.m.
Entertainer Dick Van Dyke, KLOS-FM (95.5) personality Gary Moore and musician Jason Heath will be among the volunteers serving meals and distributing toys.
Union Station Homeless Services has shifted its Christmas dinner from Pasadena’s Central Park to the organization’s adult center on Raymond Avenue.
More than 500 plates of food are expected to be served to individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty, along with senior citizens, those who are alone for Christmas or unable to afford a holiday meal at the 44th annual event, which begins at 11 a.m., according to Union Station CEO John Brauer.
The Laugh Factory in Hollywood will conduct its 37th annual free Christmas Day Feast for anyone away from home, those who might be lonely, homeless or in need of a warm meal, a hug or laugh.
Top comics will join other celebrities in helping serve each guest a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Comedians will perform live shows following meals served at 1 p.m, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Temple Israel of Hollywood’s 30th annual Christmas Dinner for the Hungry and Homeless will provide a Christmas meal for the community from 1-5 p.m. at Hollywood United Methodist Church, along with toys for children and personal care items for adults.
Los Angeles Airport Police officers will hand out stuffed animals and candy canes to children traveling on Christmas morning and the department’s K- 9s will interact with children and entertain passengers, according to Rob Pedregon, the department’s public information officer.
“Everywhere in our City of Angels — whether exchanging presents and singing carols, making tamales and sipping eggnog, going to a posada, or worshiping at Midnight Mass — we unite on Christmas by embracing all that is good in our world,” Mayor Eric Garcetti told City News Service.
“The most meaningful gift we can give today, and every day, is sharing our joy and light with others. My wish is that we will always live in the spirit of kindness, compassion, generosity and hope that this holiday brings into our hearts.”
— City News Service