Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Posted on December 25, 2020 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
2:2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Devotion
In St. Matthew’s Gospel only St. Joseph receives an announcement of the Lord’s birth. In St. Luke’s Gospel it is completely different. Zacharias is first told that he and his wife would bear a son, who would be the forerunner of the Christ. Then the Blessed Virgin Mary also received an announcement that she would bear the Savior of the world. She went with haste to the hill country of Judah, and there met her relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth and the unborn child in her womb also received the announcement of the coming birth of the Savior.
The announcing of our Lord’s birth finds its climax today. There were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night, when an angel of the Lord appeared to them to tell them that their Savior—the Savior of the world—was born this night in the city of King David. Soon the whole night sky shone with the glory of Heaven as the heavenly choir sang out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
That message, which has been quieted throughout the penitential season of Advent, is now sung once again. Indeed, we sing this proclamation throughout the Church’s year, except in the penitential seasons. This message is so wonderful to hear that historically this song on Christmas was accompanied with the ringing of all the bells. Just as we hear this proclamation when we sing this song, the whole world is made to hear that their Savior has been born.
Prayer: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine Only-Begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
