Res Biblica

The Solemnity of the Birth of Christ falls on a Sunday this year. In the liturgy, there are four Christmas masses running from December 24 to 25 and for each Mass, there are different sets of readings. The Gospel readings for each Mass are given as follows:

• Vigil Mass: The Genealogy of Christ According to Matthew
• Midnight Mass: The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-14)
• Dawn Mass: The Shepherds Visit the New-Born King (Luke 2:15-21)
• Mass During the Day: The Prologue of John (Jn. 1:1-18)

The Genealogy of Christ according to Matthew is also the reading for one of the masses between December 16-24. Selections from the "Prologue of John" (John 1:1-18) have been provided for reading for the third Sunday of Advent. For this year, our Sunday Thoughts will be on Luke 2:1-21. Read the articles below and use the rest of this page as your guide for reflection.

• Res Biblica: Luke 2:1-21 The Nativity in Luke
• Mag-aral Tayo Ang Pagsilang ng Sanggol ni Maria (Lukas 2:1-21)
• Bibliya Tagala Ang Pagsilang ng Cristo (Lukas 2:1-21)

1. Activity. Read the whole of Luke 1:1-21 keeping in mind the following outline:

1. the circumstances of the birth of Mary's child
   • the census, Joseph brings Mary to Bethlehem
   • Mary gives birth, her first actions
2. the announcement of the angels
   1. the message of the angels
   2. the reaction of the shepherds
      • the shepherds visit the Christ-child
      • reaction of Mary
3. the giving of the name "Jesus"

Reflect. How does it strike you that Mary's child, the "Son of the Most High", and the "Savior", was born, not in a human habitation, but in a place for animals? Watch the video below and let the song help you.

2. The angels conclude their message to the shepherds by glorifying God: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men of goodwill." This hymn of praise anticipates the cries of the crowd at Jesus' solemn entrance into Jerusalem: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Luke 19:38)" These joyous bursts of "gloria" link the "Birth of Jesus" to his "Passion and Death". In a sense, therefore, Jesus was born under the shadow of the cross.

Activity: Listen to this traditional Italian Christmas song and meditate on the English translation below

From Starry Skies Descending 

1. From starry skies descending,
Thou comest, glorious King,
A manger low Thy bed,
In winter's icy sting;

2. O my dearest Child most holy,
Shudd'ring, trembling in the cold!
Great God, Thou lovest me!
What suff'ring Thou didst bear,
That I near Thee might be!

3. Thou art the world's Creator,
God's own and true Word,
Yet here no robe, no fire
For Thee, Divine Lord.

4. Dearest, fairest, sweetest Infant,
Dire this state of poverty.
The more I care for Thee,
Since Thou, o Love Divine,
Will'st now so poor to be.

3. The shepherds receive the message of the angels because they were awake and watching. These two verbs "keep awake" and "keep watch" were characteristic of the Advent season.

Reflect: How did you prepare for this Christmas feast? Could you say that this year's Advent season has not been wasted on you? Explain your answer.