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All Of Heaven And Earth
Rejoiced At The Birth Of Jesus

"And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."
-Matthew 2:10


Catholic Rosary Myteries


There are many artistic renditions of the Birth of Jesus, also known as the Nativity. Choose one that most inspires you and keep this scene in mind as you meditate on the Birth of Jesus mystery...

Mary and Joseph must travel to Bethlehem to register for a census of the entire Roman Empire.

People are ordered to travel to the town of their ancestors to register. Joseph (and Mary) are from the family of David and therefore go to Bethlehem, the city of David.

Mary is often depicted as traveling ready to deliver the baby on the back of a small donkey being led by her loyal and chaste spouse, St. Joseph.

Because so many people are traveling at this time, Joseph and Mary can't find anywhere to stay.

They go from place to place seeking a warm room where the baby can be born.

Time after time the door is closed to them with the words "no room in the inn" echoing in their ears.

Finally they are offered lodging in a stable.

Jesus, the Son of God, comes into the world in the most lowly and humble of places.

He is born in a stable among livestock and laid in a manger.

It is interesting to note that the word Bethlehem means "house of bread" and Jesus the "Bread of Life" John 6:35 was born there and laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.

This account is a foreshadow of the Institution of the Eucharist.

There are shepherds nearby watching their sheep and suddenly an angel appears to them and says,

"Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will." -Luke 2:10-14

The shepherds leaving their flocks are the first to go and worship the baby Jesus.

The shepherds are the first to see Jesus.

The King of kings and Lord of lords humbles Himself to be born in a manger and to have among his first visitors simple shepherds.

Mary is also truly humble.

She says not a word.

She does not seek attention or praise, rather the Bible says, she "kept all these things pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:20

And upon leaving they are the first to bring the Good News of Jesus' birth to the world.

The Magi, or the Three Wise Men come from the east. They are astrologers who are following a star that is raising up above the place where Jesus is born.

On their travels they stop in Jerusalem and ask King Herod where the king of the Jews is and say that they have followed his star and come to adore him.

Now King Herod being a jealous man tricks the Three Wise Men into thinking that he also wants to worship the newborn king.

He tells them he does not know where the baby is but when they find him to return and tell him so he too may go and worship the baby.

Continuing on their journey, they follow the star to Bethlehem.

"And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh." -Matthew 2:11

These three wise men are the first of the Gentiles to visit Jesus.

After the three wise men leave, St. Matthew goes on to say that an angel appears to St. Joseph in a dream and tells him to flee to Egypt.

King Herod is threatened by the birth of Jesus and tries to kill him.

In Egypt, the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph are safe.

When Herod dies, an angel again tells Saint Joseph to go back to Israel because the baby is now safe.

There was no room for the Prince of Peace in the inns of Bethlehem.

Make room for Him in your heart as you pray this mystery of the Rosary.



The Bible passages for the Birth of Jesus were taken from the timeless Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible.

If you are looking for a more modern language version of the Birth of Jesus, our recommendation would be the St. Ignatius Press Bible.

If you would like to read the full scriptural account of the birth of Jesus it can be found in Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-16.


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More Meditations On The
Rosary Joyful Mystery
Birth of Jesus...


Catholic Rosary Mysteries


Below you will find some more reflections on the Birth of Jesus mystery of the rosary. As you pray the Joyful Mysteries, you will find these meditations on the rosary very helpful to keep your mind on the life of Jesus.

Return often to this page when you are praying the Joyful Mystery of the rosary - The Birth of Jesus. Make sure you bookmark this page so you can find it easily...

You can also contribute your own meditations on this Rosary mystery by going here...

Below are some meditations to think about as you pray...



"The WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John 1:14


In going to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary show that they too were subject to and obeyed the rules of the civil authorities.




Consider these two Bible passages on hospitality:

  • "Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you. And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels." -Hebrews 13:1-2
  • "For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in" -Matthew 25:35

And yet when Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, there was "no room in the inn" for the birth of Jesus. Make room for the Holy Family in your heart and for Jesus in your life.

Start by making room for the Rosary in your day.

Remember hospitality brings many blessings.



The shepherds are another example for all to follow. They were chosen by God to be the first to worship Jesus.

What was it about them that pleased God?

Why were they given such a wonderful reward?

Shepherds are humble and devoted.

Imitate them by being humble and by being devoted to your duties whatever they may be.

Above all God values a simple faith and sincere goodness.




Jesus was humble.

He chose a humble woman to be His mother.

He was born in a stable among the animals.

His first visitors were not heads of state...

No...they were shepherds.




It was practically a crime for shepherds to leave their flocks.

The message from the angel must have been truly compelling.



The birth of our Lord brings, "tidings of great joy". -Luke 2:10




"Glory to God and peace to men of good will." -Luke 2:14.

Peace is given to those who merit it.



Just as the shepherds went with haste to worship Him, you too can worship Him.

Even now He is truly dwelling among us in the tabernacles of Catholic Churches.

Go make a visit to Jesus Who is truly present there hidden for love of you under the appearance of bread.




The shepherds were the first preachers of the Good News...

"And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds." -Luke 2:18

Try to react as their first audience may have.

Imagine the wonder and awe that was experienced upon hearing the news of this wonderful event.




The most beautiful example of all in this account comes from Mary.

"But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:20.

You too must keep the story of Christmas and all that Jesus did within your heart and ponder it often by praying the Rosary.




Prayer After Meditation On
The Birth Of Jesus...


Finding Of the Child Jesus Prayer

God the Father, Thank you for sending your only Son to the world to save my soul.

Help me to appreciate this great gift from you and to share it with others that they may too come to know your Son Jesus.

As the events in the life of Jesus unfold, guide me along His ways and to never stray from His message of peace and love.

Amen.

Visit the fourth Joyful Mystery page - Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Return to the second Joyful Mystery page - Visitation




Return to our Rosary Mysteries page


More scriptural meditations on the rosary - Jesus Birth here...



Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary



Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...

Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on the cross. Therefore read more...

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...

Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead, making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...


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Daily Meditation

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end. Amen.
-From the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus






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