All Of Heaven And Earth
Rejoiced At The Birth Of Jesus

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

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.