“Now
in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of
all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was
governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each
to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth,
to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was
engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were
completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and
she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over
their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But
the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find
a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds began saying to one
another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has
happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and
found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When
they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them
about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told
them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in
her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that
they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”
Luke 2, 1-20
And so began the first Christ Mass or
Christmas where man received the greatest gift we would ever receive. Prepare
your hearts to be as empty mangers waiting for the baby Jesus to come. Welcome
him into your life and love him as any good parent loves a child. Let him shine
through you into the New Year as a beacon of faith, hope and charity. Without
him we are but dust. With him we become adopted royal heirs to God’s great
kingdom or basileia.
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"In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1, 1-5
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Rejoice for the Christ has come!
