Vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord
Posted on December 24, 2021 by under
Scripture: St Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
2:1 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
The events surrounding the birth of Christ are the culmination of 4,000 years of God’s steering human history to accomplish this miracle of miracles. Caesar Augustus didn’t know God’s purpose behind the census he decreed. Neither did Mary and Joseph, for that matter. But behind the scenes, God was preparing the way for His Son to be born in Bethlehem, as foretold by the prophet Micah.
The inn in Bethlehem didn’t fill up with people in order to spite the holy family; they had their own reasons for coming. And the manger wasn’t constructed to be the cradle of Mary’s Son. But behind the scenes, God was preparing the way for the most humble and memorable circumstances of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds in the fields weren’t out in their fields waiting for the angels to come; they were simply doing their job. But behind the scenes, God was preparing the way for the angels to have a ready audience for their momentous announcement: “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
If the Lord was behind all those events, imagine how great His love is for you. He has brought together the events of history for you to hear His Gospel, to be baptized in His name, and to be celebrating once again the birth of your Savior. Glory to God in the highest!
Prayer: Stir up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might, succor us, that by the help of Thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished, through Thy mercy and satisfaction; Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord: O God, Who hast made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant, we beseech Thee, that as we have known on earth the mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
