Day 5: Nativity of Jesus

Lord God, Almighty King: in your hands all things are placed. If you wish to save your people, no one can resist your will. You made heaven and earth and all that is contained in them; you are the owner of all things. Who, then, can resist your majesty? Lord, God of our fathers: have mercy on your people, for the enemies of the soul seek to destroy us and the difficulties that confront us are very great. You have said: "Ask and it shall be given to you. He who asks receives. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will grant it to you. But ask with faith." Hear, then, our prayers. Forgive our faults. Turn away from us the punishments we deserve and make our weeping turn to joy, so that, by living, we may praise your holy name and continue praising it eternally in heaven. Amen.

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:

¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

In the quiet humility of Bethlehem we witness the profound mystery of God's incarnation. Amid the imperial decree of a census that uprooted Mary and Joseph, the Savior enters the world not in grandeur, but in a simple manger, surrounded by the lowly and the poor. This scene invites us to reflect on our own journeys, how often do we find ourselves displaced by life's demands, yet called to embrace divine simplicity? The shepherds, awakened by angelic glory, hasten to adore the newborn King, reminding us that God's revelation comes to the vigilant heart, not the proud or powerful. Let us pray for the grace to recognize Christ in the ordinary, surrendering our plans to His humble arrival, that our lives may echo the heavenly peace proclaimed that holy night. As we meditate on the Nativity, consider the shepherds' immediate response: they "went with haste" to find Mary, Joseph and the child. Their encounter transforms them into the first evangelists, spreading the good news far and wide. So too, in our devotion, may we hasten toward Jesus, allowing His birth to renew our faith and inspire us to share His light in a world longing for hope.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.