Meditate on the Mystery of the Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
The prayer of the Rosary invites us to meditate on the events in the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary. The joyful mysteries, the first series of the mysteries of the rosary, evoke the events that surrounded the birth of Jesus and his childhood. The gospel according to Saint Luke tells of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, the birth of the child Jesus in a stable and among the shepherds and how the glory of God is manifested to the most humble, as Christians commemorate it every year at Christmas. Discover how to meditate on this magnificent mystery of the incarnation, at the heart of the Christian faith, by praying the rosary.
What is the Mystery of the Nativity?
The Birth of Jesus in the Bible, Luke 2:1-20
In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
(Luke 2:1-20)
When and how to meditate on the mystery of the nativity in the prayer of the rosary?
The Nativity of Jesus Christ is the third of the 5 Joyful Mysteries that are usually prayed on Monday and Saturday (find the rosaries of the different days of the week).
We can meditate on the whole passage or focus on a specific point of this so rich story: the birth itself, the announcement of the angels to the shepherds, the adoration of the shepherds... To help us, it is possible to add a clausula to the recitation of Hail Mary of the corresponding decade.
The spiritual fruits associated with this mystery are: simplicity, humility, the spirit of poverty... illustrated by the Savior incarnating in a small child and born in a stable between a donkey and an ox, Mary and Joseph, who have no place in the city, by the announcement made to the shepherds first.
Meditations and quotes on the mystery of the birth
A God for the small and the humble
The first worshipers, the first society that Our Lord wants in his manger is that of the humblest, the most rustic, the smallest, the simplest as well: the shepherds! He not only accepts them, but He calls them, He has them called by the purest spirits, superior in purity, intelligence, love, and power, which are the angels...
What salve You put until the end of the centuries in the heart of the poor, the small, the despised of the world, showing them from Your birth that they are Your privileged ones, Your favorites, the first called: the ever called around You who wanted to be one of them and to be surrounded by them from Your cradle and all Your life. (Saint Charles de Foucauld)
Welcoming the child Jesus in our poverty
“A beautiful legend tells that at the birth of Jesus, shepherds hurried to the cave with various gifts. Each one brought what he had, some fruits of his labor, others something precious. But while all were spending with generosity, there was a shepherd who had nothing. He was very poor, he had nothing to offer. While all were competing to present their gifts, he stood aside, feeling ashamed. At a certain moment, Saint Joseph and the Virgin found it difficult to receive all these gifts, especially Mary, who had to carry the Child. So, seeing this shepherd with empty hands, she asked him to come closer. And she placed Jesus in his arms. This shepherd, by welcoming him, realized he had received what he did not deserve, to have in his arms the greatest gift in history. He looked at his hands, hands that always seemed empty to him: they had become the cradle of God. He felt loved and, overcoming his shame, began to show Jesus to others, because he could not keep for himself the gift of gifts. Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you see your heart poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared to shine in your life. Accept it, and the light of Christmas will shine in you.” (Pope Francis)
What good is it to me that Christ was born once in Bethlehem, if he is not born again in my soul through faith? (Origen)
Meditate on the mysteries of the rosary with Hozana
On Hozana, prayer communities allow you to pray and meditate on the life of Jesus.
- Find communities such as this popular community to pray to Padre Pio, or this one to pray the rosary with Our Lady of Fatima
- Meditate on the mysteries of the nativity with communities live, at Christmastime or at any other time of the year, such as this beautiful retreat to better understand the mystery of Christmas through the biblical prophecies.
