Third Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Our Lord

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

The birth of Jesus Christ who, appearing in the world, chooses poverty, humility and suffering, is shocking indeed. The spirit of the world seeks riches, splendor, and pleasure. Now, by his birth in Bethlehem, Jesus proclaims the new teaching, which he will reaffirm on the Mount of the Beatitudes, his marvelous summary of his heavenly teaching. It is possible, then, to fix our eyes on Christ, the Divine model of holiness and perfection; we will be driven to repress all human passions, to overcome our shortcomings, and to accomplish the most demanding sacrifices. (Blessed Guido M. Conforti)

White Color: Let us pray for Europe: that life may be welcomed as a gift from birth; may the gift of life be sustained in our world by the spiritual values of the Gospel.

Pope John Paul II
on The Birth of Our Lord