The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Vigil Mass
Vigil Mass
Lectionary: 13
For Zion’s sake I
will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”
or your land “Desolate,”
but you shall be called “My Delight,”
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”
or your land “Desolate,”
but you shall be called “My Delight,”
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
Responsorial Psalm PS 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
R/ (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
He shall say of me, “You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.”
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
He shall say of me, “You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.”
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.
R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Reading 2ACTS 13:16-17, 22-25
When Paul reached
Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.’
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.’
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 1:1-25
The book of the
genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile,
fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile,
fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Or MT 1:18-25
This is how the
birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Meditation: "He will save his people from their
sins"
On the night of the vigil for the Feast of the Nativity of
the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians throughout the world rejoice in the good news
that God has sent us the best of heaven's gifts - his own beloved Son who
became a human like us in order to lay down his life for our sake as the
atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sin of the world. Jesus Christ is the
promised Messiah and Redeemer - the one who would deliver the children of
Abraham from slavery to sin, oppression, and death. Jesus Christ is the Savior
of the world - the hope of the nations who seek peace, truth, and righteousness
rather than hatred, prejudice, greed, and corruption. Jesus Christ is the glory
of the heavenly Father who brought the light of his Son to a world blinded by
deception, ignorance, stubborn pride, and rebellion (Isaiah 60:1-3,19).
Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham and King David
In telling the story of Jesus' nativity Matthew begins his Gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus - his family tree. Matthew traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel, to "Joseph, the son of David" (Matthew 1:20). Joseph, however is not the natural father of Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Luke in his Gospel account tells us that Mary was also of the line of David. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descendant of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne.
Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham and King David
In telling the story of Jesus' nativity Matthew begins his Gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus - his family tree. Matthew traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel, to "Joseph, the son of David" (Matthew 1:20). Joseph, however is not the natural father of Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. Luke in his Gospel account tells us that Mary was also of the line of David. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descendant of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne.
Jesus is the long-expected Messiah and Savior
In the coming of Jesus, we see the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Savior whom he would anoint as king and savior who would rule forever. When Jacob, the great-grandson of Abraham, blessed his twelve sons, he foretold that Judah would receive the promise of royalty which we see fulfilled when David, a descendant of Judah, was chosen as the anointed King for Israel (Genesis 49:10). We can see in Jacob's blessing and in the promise made to David a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Ruler whom the Father would send to save his people from sin, Satan, and death.The Lord Jesus came not only to restore Israel but to save the nations. Do you recognize the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of all God's promises?
In the coming of Jesus, we see the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Savior whom he would anoint as king and savior who would rule forever. When Jacob, the great-grandson of Abraham, blessed his twelve sons, he foretold that Judah would receive the promise of royalty which we see fulfilled when David, a descendant of Judah, was chosen as the anointed King for Israel (Genesis 49:10). We can see in Jacob's blessing and in the promise made to David a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Ruler whom the Father would send to save his people from sin, Satan, and death.The Lord Jesus came not only to restore Israel but to save the nations. Do you recognize the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of all God's promises?
When Israel and the House of David rebelled and turned away
from God, God described his people as a deserted and forsaken wife
(Isaiah62:4). God, however did not abandon nor forget his people. The prophet
Isaiah foretold a time of deliverance when the Messiah would come to his people
as their Bridegroom who would delight in restoring and uniting them as his
Bride (Isaiah 61:10, Revelations 21:2). This work of restoration would extend to
all the nations as well. We begin to see the fulfillment of that prophecy when
the angel announced the coming of the Messiah first to the virgin Mary and then
later to her espoused husband, Joseph (Matthew 1:18-23).
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of
the virgin Mary
When Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah she had to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God, and to the faith of her family, as well as the faith of Joseph, the man she had chosen to marry. She was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature.That required faith and trust in God and in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises.
When Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah she had to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God, and to the faith of her family, as well as the faith of Joseph, the man she had chosen to marry. She was asked to assume a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature.That required faith and trust in God and in his promises. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises.
God reveals to Joseph - and to us - the miraculous
conception and mission of Jesus
Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to embarrass or punish his espoused wife, Mary, when he discovered that she was pregnant. To all appearances she had broken their solemn pledge to be faithful and chaste to one another. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer. He was not hasty to judge or to react with hurt and anger. God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance that he had indeed called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in Almighty God. Joseph believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah.
Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, did not wish to embarrass or punish his espoused wife, Mary, when he discovered that she was pregnant. To all appearances she had broken their solemn pledge to be faithful and chaste to one another. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer. He was not hasty to judge or to react with hurt and anger. God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance that he had indeed called Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to assume a mission that would require the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in Almighty God. Joseph believed in the divine message to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah.
Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a
faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption. Are you
ready to believe in the promises of God, even when faced with perplexing
circumstances and what seems like insurmountable problems? God has not left us
alone, but has brought us his only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Let us celebrate Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation (when
"the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... the only-begotten Son from
the Father" John 1:14), with joyful hearts, and let us renew our faith and
hope in God, and give thanks for his work of redemption.
"Lord Jesus, you came to set us free from the power of
sin, death, and Satan. You give us the hope of abundant life and joy with you
forever. May I always rejoice in your saving work and trust in your plan for my
life".
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass During the Night
Mass During the Night
Lectionary: 14
Reading 1IS 9:1-6
The people who
walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13
R/ (Lk 2:11) Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R/ Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Reading 2TI 2:11-14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
AlleluiaLK 2:10-11
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us,
Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us,
Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 2:1-14
In those days a
decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Meditation: "For to you is born this day a Savior, Christ the Lord"
Why was the Messiah, the long promised
Savior from the royal house of David, born in obscurity and lowliness in a
little town of Bethlehem? In the Roman empire censuses were taken every
fourteen years for assessing taxation and ascertaining who were eligible for
compulsory military service. Since Mary and Joseph were both from the line of
King David, they had to travel eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the
hometown of David and his ancestors. This was a most inconvenient time and a
physical ordeal for Mary since her baby was due any day now! And as luck would
have it, Bethlehem was overcrowded. They had to settle for the most primitive
of accommodations - an cave in the hillside which was used as a stall for
animals.
Why would the Messiah choose to be born in such pitiable conditions and in total obscurity? God's ways are different from our ways. He, the Most Exalted One, condescends for the sake of the lowly and the oppressed. The Lord descended not in pomp and majesty befitting a King, but in meekness and lowliness to show us the way of perfect love. The only room used as a throne for Jesus was the cross he came to bear for our sins. In Jesus lowly birth we see the foreshadowing of the greatest sacrifice God would make for our sake when his only begotten Son willingly embraced the crown of thorns and death on the cross for our salvation.
Why would the Messiah choose to be born in such pitiable conditions and in total obscurity? God's ways are different from our ways. He, the Most Exalted One, condescends for the sake of the lowly and the oppressed. The Lord descended not in pomp and majesty befitting a King, but in meekness and lowliness to show us the way of perfect love. The only room used as a throne for Jesus was the cross he came to bear for our sins. In Jesus lowly birth we see the foreshadowing of the greatest sacrifice God would make for our sake when his only begotten Son willingly embraced the crown of thorns and death on the cross for our salvation.
Jesus' birth in Bethlehem
fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would descend from David and be born in
David's city, Bethlehem (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-2; Micah 5:2-4). Ambrose, the 4th
century bishop of Milan, in his commentary on this passage from Luke explains
why Christ became a humble child for our sake.
He was a baby and a child, so
that you may be a perfect human. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, so that
you may be freed from the snares of death. He was in a manger, so that you may
be in the altar. He was on earth that you may be in the stars. He had no other
place in the inn, so that you may have many mansions in the heavens. "He,
being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through his poverty you might be
rich." Therefore his poverty is our inheritance, and the Lord's weakness
is our virtue. He chose to lack for himself, that he may abound for all. The
sobs of that appalling infancy cleanse me, those tears wash away my sins.
Therefore, Lord Jesus, I owe more to your sufferings because I was redeemed
than I do to works for which I was created... You see that he is in swaddling
clothes. You do not see that he is in heaven. You hear the cries of an infant,
but you do not hear the lowing of an ox recognizing its Master, for the ox
knows his Owner and the donkey his Master' crib. [Exposition of the Gospel of Luke]
Why did the angels announce the
birth of the new-born King of Israel to shepherds, rather than to the Jewish
populace at large, or to the leaders of Israel? God chose to come in lowliness
to show his loving-kindness and power to those who were humble of heart and
ready to receive him. Gregory the Great in his Christmas sermon explains the
significance of the angels hymn of glory and message to the shepherds:
Before the Redeemer was born
in the flesh, there was discord between us and the angels, from whose
brightness and holy perfection we were separated, in punishment first of
original sin and then because of our daily offenses. Because through sin we had
become strangers to God, the angels as God’s subjects cut us off from their
fellowship. But since we have now acknowledged our King, the angels receive us
as fellow citizens. Because the King of heaven has taken unto himself the flesh
of our earth, the angels from their heavenly heights no longer look down upon
our infirmity. Now they are at peace with us, putting away the remembrance of
the ancient discord. Now they honor us as friends, whom before they considered
to be weak and despised. [Homilies
on the Gospels 8.2.60]
We also join with the angelic
choirs of heaven when we glorify God and give him thanks for the gift of his
Son who became our redeemer.
Why was it necessary that God's
only begotten Son, the Word of God, become flesh (cf. John 1)? The Word became
flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God our Father. God
loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins (1 John
4:10). The Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world (1
John 4:14). The Word appeared to take away sins (1 John 3:5).
The Word became flesh that we might know and experience the love of God. God's
love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so
that we might live through him (1 John 4:9). For God so loved
the world that he gave us his only Son that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
There is a great paradox in the
mystery of the Incarnation, the Son of God taking on human flesh that we might
be clothed in his divinity. Scripture says "he became poor that we might
become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9) - rich not in material things which pass
away, but rich in the things that last - eternal life and happiness with the
Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Incarnation is the mystery of
this wonderful exchange: "O marvelous exchange! Man's Creator has become
man, born of the Virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share our humanity." (Antiphon I of Evening Prayer
for January 1st)
"Lord our God, with the
birth of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, your glory breaks on the world. As we
celebrate his first coming, give us a foretaste of the joy that you will grant
us when the fulness of his glory has filled the earth."
Wednesday 24 December 2014
Christmas Eve. Midnight
Mass.
Isaiah 9:1-7 Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord—Ps 95(96):1-3, 11-13 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14.
Isaiah 9:1-7 Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord—Ps 95(96):1-3, 11-13 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14.
‘Good news and great joy to
all the world: today is born a saviour.’
Looking back on the past
year, we grieve for those who have been subjected to violence and injustice. We
pray tonight for them, each and every one a child of God.
Tonight joy and hope come
to the world through the birth of this infant who begins his life in the aura
of a mother’s and father’s love, yet, through no fault of theirs, in the manger
of a stable.
It is hard to imagine a
birth that would identify this new baby more closely with the reality of our
humanity. What better start in life could there have been for the one given to
us by God to set us free from all wickedness and make peace on earth a feasible
prospect for people of good will.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Cherished Memories
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As the midnight hour approaches and we greet Christmas day, let us
be committed to create new memories that we keep and cherish and bless the Lord
for. Our memories take us into a future where we will be gathered around an
eternal banquet table and celebrate there forever the visitation of God,
Emmanuel, the God who calls us into the holiness and the fullness of life.
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