The Nativity of the Lord
Feast day: December 25
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The Son of God becomes man, born poor in Bethlehem and laid in a manger (25/12)
What is this feast?
Christmas celebrates the birth of the Son of God as a man. Jesus is true God and true man. He did not come in a palace, but was born poor, in the town of Bethlehem, the hometown of King David. Together with Easter, it is one of the two greatest feasts of the liturgical year.
The story
The Roman emperor ordered a census, so Saint Joseph took Mary, who was expecting a child, from Nazareth to Bethlehem (cf. Lk 2:1-5). When they arrived, there was no room at the inn. While they were there, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, the box that holds hay for animals to eat (cf. Lk 2:6-7).
Out in the fields, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. An angel appeared and told them that today, in the city of David, a Savior had been born for them, who is Christ the Lord (cf. Lk 2:11). A great multitude of angels sang the glory of God. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Saint Joseph and the Child lying in the manger (cf. Lk 2:8-16).
The Gospel does not say that the place was a cave. From the second century, tradition has told that the Lord was born in a cave used as a stable. The ox and the donkey are also part of the tradition. In 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi set up a Christmas crib at Greccio, and since then families and parishes everywhere have made a Nativity scene every Christmas. The 25th of December is the day the Church chose for the celebration; the Gospel does not give the date of the Lord’s birth.
Why does the Church celebrate it?
Because it is wonderful news: God loves people so much that he sent his Son to live among us. Jesus came to save us from sin and lead us back to the Father. The Church prepares through the four Sundays of Advent, then celebrates Christmas for eight days (the Octave) and throughout the Christmas season.
A lesson for you
- During Advent, prepare your heart by going to confession and doing good deeds, so you are ready to welcome Jesus.
- Make a Nativity scene with your family and pray in front of it.
- Jesus came in poverty: share your Christmas gifts with a child who is poor.
Identifying marks
- The Child lying in a manger, wrapped in white cloth, on clean straw: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger is the sign the angel gave the shepherds (cf. Lk 2:12).
- A halo with a cross behind the Child’s head: a sign kept only for Jesus, the Son of God.
- Mary kneeling on the left, hands joined, in a white dress and a blue mantle: the Mother adores the Son she has just brought into the world.
- Saint Joseph standing on the right, leaning on a wooden staff, in a brown robe and an ochre mantle: the gentle foster father who watches over Mother and Child.
- A small star in the night sky, seen through the opening of the cave: the star announcing that the Savior has come.
- An ox and a donkey, faint in the shadows: part of the tradition of the Nativity scene, recalling the words of the prophet (cf. Is 1:3).
The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Compiled by i-Catholic · About