👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 The Feast of the #Nativity: A Reflection on the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Beloved Faithful,
Grace and peace to you who follow the teachings of the Holy Church. Let us reflect on the divine mystery of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, a day of unparalleled joy and spiritual renewal.
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God’s Nature and the Prophetic Foretelling
The Most High God, the Creator of all, is a God of mercy and love. He compassionate and seeks the salvation of humanity.
For centuries, the holy prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, counting the days and prophesying that He would be born of a pure Virgin. And so it was that the angel Gabriel, the bearer of good news, came to the Holy Virgin Mary and announced that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God.
When the fullness of time had come—5500 years after Adam’s fall—the Word became flesh, and our Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea.
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The Birth of Christ: The Dawn of Hope
With the Nativity of Christ, the curse that bound humanity is broken. The sorrow and despair of sin are wiped away, and in their place, unity, compassion, peace, and love flourish. This day is not just the birth of a child but the manifestation of divine light dispelling the darkness of the world.
The term “birth” means to emerge from the womb into the light, to be seen and made present. In theological terms, it signifies the revelation of God in the flesh. Before His birth, only a few saints—those favored by God—knew of His presence in the Virgin’s womb. But after His birth, He was revealed to all nations, both Jew and Gentile, as a man—humble in stature yet divine in essence.
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Divine Revelation in the Flesh
Before the Incarnation, God was revealed in awe-inspiring forms, such as the burning bush that appeared to Moses. The fire burned but did not consume the bush, signifying God’s presence and holiness. Likewise, in the New Testament, God took flesh in the womb of the Holy Virgin without consuming or altering her purity.
The Virgin Mary is the new bush, lush and green with life, bearing within her the divine flame of God’s presence. Just as Moses removed his sandals in reverence at the burning bush, so too must we approach the mystery of the Incarnation with awe and humility.
Saint Elizabeth, upon hearing the voice of the Virgin Mary, felt her own child, John the Baptist, leap in her womb with joy, recognizing the divine presence. Elizabeth cried out in reverence, “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). Saint Joseph, too, guarded and served the Virgin with holy fear and respect.
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A Humble Beginning for a Majestic Purpose
The Lord of glory did not come in splendor or power but in humility and poverty, born in a lowly manger. This humility was meant to touch the hearts of fallen humanity, to lift up the broken and revive the downtrodden.
By taking on flesh, He gave us His Spirit. By bearing our shame and death, He bestowed upon us life and glory. In doing so, He made us a new creation. This mystery was foreshadowed in Proverbs 8:22, which says, “The Lord created me as the first of His works,” referring to the wisdom of God manifest in the flesh.
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The Shepherds: Witnesses to the Miracle
The first to receive the divine announcement of Christ’s birth were humble shepherds tending their flocks by night. An angel appeared to them, proclaiming:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)
Immediately, the heavens opened, and a multitude of angels sang praises:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."
Continues 👇🏾