Navitavis Domini (It's Jesus' birthday story)

 

Et Verbum Caro Factum Est: And the Word became Flesh. While technically with our understanding of embryology the Word became Flesh at the moment of His Conception. Just like every human being is a individual life form at the moment of their conception, except, uh, it is God who took on flesh; kind of a one time thing. 

The Nativity scene as we all know and love either through various church plays, local nativity scenes, the Gospel passages, or most importantly the Christmas Vigil or Midnight Masses in which we go through the liturgy and hear of the time that our Lord is born. 

We hear how the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, He who has come to save us and return us to the Father has come to us as a baby. We read how the shepherds and Angels come to adore Him. And we also of how the Three Magi come to adore Him (this is traditionally on the feast of Epiphany, or in some regions Three Kings day). The bring Him gifts of Myrrh, Frankincense and Gold. The gifts have a symbol, each portraying different things about Jesus. The Myrrh represents His future death. Myrrh was a common perfume used to anoint the dead. The Gold is a gift that was given to a King. Finally Frankincense is used as the incense before the Lord our God at His altars (in temple Judaism, and in the Catholic/Orthodox churches too).

The fruit of the Mystery is Poverty of Spirit. The Holy Family (St. Joseph, Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ), went on their way and at the time of the Blessed Virgin going into labor, they had no means of housing in Bethlehem. No Marriott-Suites, Days Inn, or Hotel 6 was available for the Holy Family, so they relied totally on God for providing their needs. They ended up in a biblical era barn, surrounded by animals, and the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Scriptural Rosary:

1. The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus Christ
1. Pater Noster ...
2. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. (Luke 2:6)
1. Ave Maria … 
3. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, (Luke 2:7a)
1. Ave Maria … 
4. And laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7b)
1. Ave Maria … 
5. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. (Luke 2:8-9)
1. Ave Maria … 
6. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: (Luke 2:10)
1. Ave Maria … 
7. For, this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. (Luke 2:11)
1. Ave Maria … 
8. Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. (Luke 2:14)
1. Ave Maria … 
9. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. they found the child with Mary his mother, (Matt 2:1, 11)
1. Ave Maria … 
10. And falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt 2:11)
1. Ave Maria … 
11. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
1. Ave Maria … 
12. O My Jesus ...
13. Gloria Patri ...