Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Christmas Vigil Mass
1st
Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5: The Lord takes delight in you.
2nd 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 feared
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: Emmanuel
5. His birth brought about 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, 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.
Wishing you
a Merry Christmas!
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