Christmas Vigil Mass
Readings
First: Isaiah 62:1-5 - You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God ...
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Second: Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 - From David’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus ... John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel ... there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
Gospel: Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 - An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Themes
Son of David - Virgin Birth - Son of the Father - Savior of sinners.
Picture: "The Betrothal of the Virgin" 1520s, by Domenico Beccafumi (1486–1551), in Oratory of the Compagnia di San Bernardino, Siena, Italy. Public Domain.
