Nativity of Jesus, Vigil Mass
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25
The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David

Tonight, we gather with the universal Church in Bethlehem, in front of the manger where Jesus Christ will be born, quietly awaiting the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel for the vigil Mass is taken from the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, as recorded in St. Matthew.

In this genealogy, we see Matthew mentioning Abraham, David, and some notable figures among the Israelites during their exile in Babylon, in order to convey to us that despite these individuals’ imperfections and even rebellion against God’s holy will, God still forgave them and bestowed upon them various graces.

The merciful God, desiring to continue the grace bestowed upon the Israelites during the Old Testament period, sent His only Son, who assumed a frail human nature, similar in form to humans except for being without sin. He wishes that through Him, through baptism into Christ, we may be united to Him, and through the Spirit of Truth sent by Him from the Father, and by following the Spirit of Truth and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we may no longer live in sin, which is an enemy of God, but rather, together with the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (cf. Rom 8:11), we may cry out, “Abba, Father!” (cf. Rom 8:15), and share in the same cup of blessing, the same bread broken, united in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist celebrated in perpetual remembrance of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Christ.

Let us prepare our minds and hearts well and spend this Christmas Eve with a pure heart and in a good manner.

©Totus Tuus 2025
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025