Key words and phrases from the Gospel: how the birth . . . came about, before they lived together, angel of the Lord appeared, he will save, God is with us, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded

To the point: This gospel begins with Joseph’s experiencing inner turmoil (“unwilling to expose her,” “decided to divorce her”) and moves to Joseph’s grasping events in which salvation is happening (“through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived,” “he will save his people”). He did as the angel commanded: “do not be afraid,” “take Mary,” “name him Jesus.” And so Salvation was born. Then. And now in our lives.

Key words and phrases from the Gospel: from the town of Nazareth, to the city of David, glory . . . shone around them, a savior has been born for you, Glory to God in the highest

To the point: The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem points to a cosmic movement from a “people who walked in darkness” to a people who have “seen a great light” (First Reading). The shepherds are among the first of this people of light: “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” Revealed to them is “good news of great joy”: “a savior has been born.” Now we are the shepherds surrounded by God’s glory, whose very lives must sing “Glory to God in the highest.”

Key words and phrases: shepherds, this . . . the Lord has made known, they made known the message, amazed

To the point: What about the message was so compelling that the people were amazed at hearing it even from the likes of shepherds? A newborn baby? Not really. An event taking place in a stable? Hardly. Appearance of angels? Not even this. The startling message made known is a revelation of a new in-breaking of divine-human presence: “[Y]our savior comes” (First Reading). This same startling message is made known to us today. How amazed are we?

Key words and phrases from the Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, the Word became flesh, From his fullness we have all received

To the point: Who is Jesus? Word, God, light, became flesh, only Son. And “[f]rom his fullness we have all received.” So who are we? For believers, we are “children of God,” “born . . . of God,” “grace in place of grace.” In us this Word continues to be enfleshed and dwells within and among us. We are the “feet” of those “announcing salvation” (First Reading).?