Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

 The Saviour of the World

Christmas Vigil Mass

1^st Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5: The Lord takes delight in you.

2^nd Reading: Acts 13:16-17.22-25: Paul’s witness to Christ, the Son of David.

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25: The ancestry of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

Jesus’ Divine Birth: Unusual Events (Mt 1:18-25):

The coming of God’s Son into the world was one of the most phenomenal events in all of history. It necessitated and caused some very unusual events.

1.    His birth was of the Spirit.

2.    His birth created a predicament.

a.    Joseph’s predicament: Mary was pregnant before marriage.

b.    Joseph’s character and solution.

i.                Character: A righteous man

ii.              Solution: Not to expose Mary

3.    His birth necessitated a special revelation.

a.    To give assurance

i.                He was chosen

ii.              He was not to be fear

b.    To guide: In taking Mary to be his wife

c.     To explain: the child is of the Spirit

d.    To reveal the child’s destiny

i.                His name Jesus

ii.              His mission to save

4.    His birth was a fulfilment of prophecy

a.    Predicting his virgin birth (Cf. Is 7:14)

b.    Predicting his name: Immanuel

5.    His birth brought about a great obedience.

Thought:

Jesus (iesous): Saviour; He will save. The Hebrew form is Joshua (yasha), meaning, Jehovah is salvation; He is the Saviour. The idea is that of deliverance, of being saved from some terrible disaster that leads to perishing (Jn 3:16; Rom 8:3; Gal 1:4; Heb 2:14-18; 7:25).

Jesus is Immanuel: God is with us, God revealed in human flesh (Is 1:26; 9:6; Jn 1:1, 14; 2Cor 5:19; 1Jn 1:2).

Thought: Joseph acted as God would have a man to act.

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