Christmas Day in Los Angeles County Wednesday will include the customary Masses and church services celebrating the birth of Jesus along with annual events providing meals to the homeless and poor.
English-language Christmas Day Masses will be celebrated at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels while Archbishop José Gomez will celebrate the 12:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish. The 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses will be streamed on the cathedral’s page, youtube.com/olacathedral, and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lacatholics and broadcast on digital Channel 7.2.
During his homily at a Christmas Eve Mass at the cathedral Tuesday, Gomez said, “Christmas reveals the truth about our lives. And the truth is this: We are born to become like Jesus, every one of us. We are born to share in his divine nature. In this Child, we find the way to true happiness.
“God wants us to do beautiful things with our life. He wants our life to be filled with joy and love, in our homes and in our families, and in our life in the world. God really wants all of these great things for us, and he will give us the grace and the strength we need. This is the meaning of Christmas.”
As is tradition, Gomez will also celebrate Christmas Day Mass at 9 a.m. for general population prisoners at the Men’s Central Jail Chapel.
The Laugh Factory is planning to serve more than 2,000 free dinners to those in need at its 45th annual free Christmas dinner and show. Seatings will be at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tim Allen, Tiffany Haddish, Craig Robinson, Paul Rodriguez and Dane Cook will be among the comedians serving food and performing.
Every child in attendance will receive a free toy. Staff members from the health care provider El Proyecto del Barrio will “offer free assistance to anyone who has a cold, cough, the flu or other minor health issues,” club owner Jamie Masada said.
Laugh Factory President David Fuhrer encouraged the public to spread the word about the event.
“We can all show our holiday spirit by doing something to help people in need,” Fuhrer said. “Please tell anyone who is alone this holiday season about this event, or even give them a ride to the Laugh Factory. If you find someone in need in your neighborhood that needs a Christmas meal, please stop buy, pick up some food and give it to them. Let’s do all we can to make spirits bright this holiday season.”
For the 38th year, a free Christmas Day dinner will be served at Hollywood United Methodist Church from noon-3 p.m. “to everyone who is in need of a little help this holiday season,” organizers said.
All in attendance will receive personal care items, while children will receive toys.
The dinner is co-hosted by Temple Israel of Hollywood.