The Nativity of the Lord
Lk 2: 1-14
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Sing With Joy
Sing this with me, “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!”
There’s something about Christmas that just makes us want to sing. We have pageants and sing-a-longs, carolers and “Jingle Bell Rock” on the radio, and at church we bring out the very best: “O Come Let Us Adore Him,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World”. The Incarnation is a mystery not easily confined to dogmatic and creedal statements. We have to sing it. We have to dance it. We have to feel it! So, today, let’s shout from the mountain tops, “Jesus Christ is born!” Let’s gather with our loved ones in a spirit of joy and celebration, knowing that what we share today is a love and mystery beyond words.
—Fr. Louis Hotop, SJ, serves in ministry to migrants in the Brownsville (Texas) Diocese on the U.S.-Mexico border. He is a member of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province.
Prayer
Glory and praise be to you, O God! You are the Emmanuel, God who is with us. Grant us the grace to celebrate well the birth of Jesus by enjoying our time with family and friends and seeing you alive and present in the lives of everyone whose path we cross. Amen.
—Fr. Louis Hotop, SJ