Glorious Birth of Our Lord (Christmas)
The Season of The Glorious Birth of Our Lord, often also referred to as the Season of Announcements, consists of six Sundays which precede the Feast of the Birth of Our Lord. These six weeks serve as a preparation for the birth of our Lord and commemorates the events recorded in the New Testament prior to His birth. By placing these commemorations before the Feast of the Lord's birth, the Church wishes us to prepare for the coming of the Savior and places us in an atmosphere similar to that which preceded his birth. (excerpt from the Maronite Synaxarion)
Theme
Each Sunday of this Season is dedicated to a different scriptural announcement leading to the Birth of Jesus, so focus events on a specific Announcement and relate it to the youth’s lives.
Event Idea
Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth is a good example to discuss Christian friendship and love of others. Genealogy Sunday is a great example of how our families can have broken people within them, as Jesus’ lineage showed.
Insight From Catechism
“In Jesus, God took on our mortal human flesh, shared our earthly lot, our sufferings, and our death, and became one like us in all things but sin.” (YOUCAT, 76)
Wisdom From Scripture
“Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,* but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,* yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord* appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, 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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.He had no relations with her until she bore a son,* and he named him Jesus.” (Mt. 1:18-25)
Reference from the Divine Liturgy
“You are wonderful, O God! You came down to us and were born in manger, yet you fill heaven and earth with your glory.” (Qurbono, 80)
“Keep us from doubt and protect our faith, that we may profess your miraculous birth and honor your pure mother Mary and righteous Joseph.” (Qurbono, 59)