Michael Brooks
The Catholic Catechism holds a wealth of traditions and rituals surrounding the Nativity, a cornerstone of the Christian faith. The Nativity scene, or Christmas crèche, is a beloved custom in Catholic homes, schools, churches, and town squares, with families blessing their nativity scenes with prayers and Scripture readings. The scene's elements, from the starry sky to the angels and shepherds, hold symbolic value, reminding Catholics of God's presence in times of darkness and His answer to life's deepest questions. The celebration of the Nativity of the Lord includes various readings, such as the Vigil Mass, Midnight Mass, and Mass during the day, with passages from Luke and Isaiah bringing to life the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Nativity is not just a historical event but a testament to God's fulfillment of His promises, as Jesus, the Messiah, is born as both true man and true God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The nativity scene | A starry sky wrapped in the darkness and silence of night; mountains, streams, sheep, and shepherds; angels and the guiding star; baby Jesus in the manger |
| The nativity story | Mary gave birth to her first-born son, wrapping him in swaddling cloths and laying him in a manger; an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in a field, telling them of the birth of a savior, who is Christ the Lord |
| The nativity and the Old Testament | The birth of Jesus fulfills God's promise to David that his kingdom will last forever |
| The nativity and the New Testament | The Gospel of Matthew and the Christmas motet "Adeste Fideles" ("O Come, All Ye Faithful") refer to the Nativity |
| The nativity and culture | There is a recent "zeal" to remove references to Christ and the Nativity in culture; some families leave their nativity scenes incomplete until Christmas |
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![[(Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition)] [by: U S Catholic Conference]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21BDtckVijL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- The meaning and importance of the nativity scene
- The validity of Christ as a true man and true God
- The significance of the starry sky and darkness in the nativity scene
- The role of the shepherds and their response to the birth of Jesus
- The readings for the Nativity of the Lord in the Vigil Mass, Midnight Mass, and Mass during the day
The meaning and importance of the nativity scene
The nativity scene is a beautiful family tradition that involves preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas. It is also customary to set up nativity scenes in workplaces, schools, hospitals, prisons, and town squares. The nativity scene typically includes a starry sky, mountains, streams, sheep, shepherds, angels, and a guiding star, all of which hold symbolic value. The starry sky, for instance, represents how God is with us even in the darkest of nights, answering our crucial questions about life. The angels and the guiding star signify our call to worship the Lord, as told in Luke 2:15, where the shepherds proclaim: "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us".
The nativity scene encapsulates the joy of the coming of the Messiah, with the humble and poor greeting the event of the Incarnation. The shepherds respond to God, who comes to meet them in the form of Infant Jesus, by setting out to meet him with love, gratitude, and awe. This scene is a reminder that we should not get caught up in our busy lives and forget to appreciate the gift of salvation.
The nativity scene also includes the three wise men or the Magi, who are said to have travelled to see the baby Jesus, bringing gifts. On the Feast of the Epiphany, families may read the Gospel account of the visit of the three wise men (Matthew 2:1-12) and then march through the house, singing "We Three Kings" and carrying the figures of the wise men. This tradition symbolises the Magi's search for Jesus.
The nativity scene is a powerful way to share the faith and evangelize, as well as answer objections that people may have about the nativity. It is a joyful tradition that brings families and communities together, encouraging creativity and imagination in its preparation.
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![Catechism of the Catholic Church (Hardcover)【2000】by Catholic Church (Corporate Author) 2nd Revised & enlarged edition {Catechism} [1795]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41NbrpXFpLL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The validity of Christ as a true man and true God
The validity of Christ as a true man and a true God is a surprisingly divisive issue. The Nativity is a consequence of an earlier event, the Incarnation, and any human birth makes visible something that has been hidden since conception.
The nativity scene is a beautiful family tradition, and the various elements of the scene have deeper meanings. The background of a starry sky wrapped in the darkness and silence of night is symbolic of the darkness that people experience in their lives. Yet, even in those times, God does not abandon us but is there to answer our crucial questions about the meaning of life. The angels and the guiding star are a sign that we, too, are called to set out for the cave and worship the Lord.
The nativity scene also includes mountains, streams, sheep, and shepherds, reminding us that all creation rejoices in the coming of the Messiah. The humble and poor shepherds become the first to see the gift of salvation. They respond to God, who comes to meet them in the Infant Jesus, by setting out to meet him with love, gratitude, and awe.
The validity of Christ as true man and true God is reflected in the words of the angel to the shepherds: "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." The Greek word "Kyrios," translated as "the Lord," is the primary name for God in the Old Testament. Thus, the angel is proclaiming the birth of the Messiah, the anointed one, and the fulfillment of God's promises from the Old Testament.
The Nativity is a reminder that God became man to bring light to darkness and answer our deepest questions. It is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ's birth and his presence in our lives.
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The significance of the starry sky and darkness in the nativity scene
The nativity scene is a beloved fixture of the holiday season, representing the birth of Jesus Christ. It is based on the accounts of Jesus' birth found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The scene depicts Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, and the visit of the Magi, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to find Jesus' birthplace.
The starry sky in the nativity scene is a captivating element, creating a magical and suggestive effect. It is a representation of the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the three wise men to Jesus. The starry sky, set against the darkness of the night, symbolizes God's presence even in times of darkness and suffering. It represents God's answer to crucial questions about the meaning of life and His closeness, bringing light to darkness.
The darkness in the nativity scene is significant as it symbolizes the night when Jesus was born. It also adds a layer of symbolism, representing the darkness and silence that can be experienced in life. Despite this darkness, the starry sky shines through, reminding Christians that God is always present, even in challenging times.
The nativity scene holds special significance for Christians, representing unwavering love from God, providing strength and hope during turbulent times. It transcends religious boundaries with its message of love, peace, and humility, making it a global symbol of the holiday season. The scene invites people to reflect on and emulate virtues such as humility, love, faith, and obedience.
Preparing and displaying the nativity scene is a beloved tradition for many Catholic families. They creatively employ diverse materials to craft unique nativity scenes, often leaving the manger empty during Advent and adding the angels, shepherds, Mary, and Joseph on Christmas Eve. Some even add baby Jesus overnight as a surprise for children on Christmas morning.
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The role of the shepherds and their response to the birth of Jesus
The nativity story, as told in the Bible, includes shepherds as some of the first witnesses to the birth of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke describes how the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock in the fields outside Bethlehem when they were visited by an angel of the Lord, who brought tidings of great joy: the birth of a saviour, the Christ, in the city of David. The angel told the shepherds that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
The shepherds then encountered a multitude of angels praising God, which prompted them to take action. They left their flocks and hurried into Bethlehem to see the newborn Jesus, becoming the first evangelists. They glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard, and shared the news of Jesus' birth. This response by the shepherds, who were humble and lowly, foreshadowed Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd, willing to lay down his life for his flock.
The inclusion of the shepherds in the nativity story is significant. They were local Jewish men, living a nomadic and isolated life with their flocks, a lifestyle that was often looked down upon. Despite their lowly status, God saw them as important and chose them to be the first recipients of the good news, revealing his plan of salvation for all mankind. The shepherds represented the people of Israel, invited to come and worship the Messiah.
The role of the shepherds in the nativity story highlights the importance of humility and service, values that Jesus himself embodied throughout his life. Their inclusion also underscores the idea that God's kingdom ways are often contrary to human expectations, as the birth of the Messiah was revealed first to humble shepherds rather than religious leaders or scholars.
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The readings for the Nativity of the Lord in the Vigil Mass, Midnight Mass, and Mass during the day
The Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve includes readings from the Gospel of Matthew, which describes how Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, and how Joseph, her husband, was visited by an angel of the Lord who told him: "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."
The Midnight Mass proclaims the birth of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke. It includes readings from Isaiah: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in a land of deep shadow a light has shone." It also includes the proclamation: "I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord."
The Mass at dawn on Christmas morning continues the story of the birth of Jesus as found in Luke’s Gospel, ending with the shepherds’ visit to the infant Jesus.
The Gospel for the Christmas Mass during the day is taken from the Gospel of John, which presents the Creation story as the framework for announcing the Incarnation: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
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Frequently asked questions
The Nativity is a consequence of an earlier event, the Incarnation. It refers to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, in Bethlehem.
Many Catholic families set up a nativity scene in their homes, adding the angels, shepherds, Mary, and Joseph on Christmas Eve. The baby Jesus is placed in the manger on Christmas Day. Some families also move the three kings to a different room each day, searching for them and praying with their children.
The nativity scene includes a starry sky, mountains, streams, sheep, and shepherds, reflecting the Gospel accounts and symbolizing God's presence in our lives. It reminds us that all creation rejoices in the coming of the Messiah, and that God became man to answer our crucial questions and bring light to our darkness.
