Jesus will save His people from their sins
Reflections on the readings for the Vigil Mass at Christmas (December 24, 2018): IS 62:1-5; PS 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; ACTS 13:16-17,22-25; MT 1:1-25
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The Gospel for the Vigil Mass on this Christmas Eve recounts the genealogy of Jesus starting with Abraham and going through all the generations down to Joseph who is legally recognized as His father.
Prophecies had long proclaimed that the Messiah would be the heir of King David. So today we hear the angel reassure the man chosen by God to be the foster father of His Son: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Mary and Joseph are intrinsic parts of Almighty God’s plan to redeem the whole world. The Blessed Virgin is the Mother of the Holy Infant Jesus and Joseph is her husband and the guardian of the Son of God. Through the Incarnation and Nativity of our Lord, His people take their first steps along the path to the Passion and Resurrection with Him. The anticipation of Advent culminates in the birth of hope on earth in the body, blood, soul and divinity of that Child of Bethlehem. The King of the Universe was laid in a manger because there is no room for His poor, humble family at an inn. Glory to God in the Highest!
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Featured Image: Winning artwork from the annual Missionary Childhood Association Christmas Artwork contest.
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