The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Solemnity · Holy Day of Obligation

Christmas: the eternal Son of God is born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Readings of the day

Joyful Mysteries

Third Mystery: The Nativity

This mystery is featured for The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).

“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.”Luke 2:7

In Bethlehem the Son of God is born in poverty. Angels announce the good news to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, and they come in haste to adore Him.

Fruit of the mystery: Poverty of spirit

Glory to God in the Highest

Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:13–14, World English Bible, Catholic Edition

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A notification each morning with the day’s mysteries, a mystery to meditate on with its scripture, and a short prayer. Free, no account.

This day’s five mysteries (Joyful Mysteries)

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

Coming up

Saint Stephen, the First MartyrSat, Dec 26 · Feast
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsMon, Dec 28 · Feast
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of GodFri, Jan 1 · Solemnity
The Epiphany of the LordSun, Jan 3 · Solemnity

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

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