Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The assigned readings for the Mass during the night are Isaiah 9:1-6, Titus 2:11-14, and Luke 2:1-14. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 96 (Psalm 96: 1-3, 11-13).
The Gospel reading is as follows:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Reflections on solemnity:
Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Deeper Meaning of Christmas
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Christmas: Mass at Midnight (December 24, 2012)
Msgr. Charles Pope: Today is Born a Savior. And here are some of His saving Gifts (24 DEC 12)
The Deacon's Bench: “Do not be afraid”: a Christmas homily (24 DEC 12)
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