Joy and fear...these are the emotions of Mary as she considers the angel's tidings. Through her the righteous king will be born. Her generation will see the lame leap and hear the mute sing. The Messiah, a man of peace and healing, the son of her womb, will gather God's people like a shepherd gathers his flock and proclaim the peace of God to those chafing under the peace of Rome.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion. [Zech 9:9]
Shout, O Daughter of Jerusalem. [Zech 9:9]
Behold thy King cometh unto thee. [Zech 9:9]
He is the righteous Savior. [Zech 9:9]
And he shall speak peace unto the heathen. [Zech 9:10]
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [Is 35:5]
Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. [Is 35:6]
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd. [Is 40:11]
And He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom. [Is 40:11]
And gently lead those that are with young. [Is 40:11]
What joy Mary brings to the house of her cousin Elizabeth. "God has remembered His promise to Abraham!" The child of Elizabeth's old age recognizes the Messiah he is destined to announce and leaps in her womb. In about 30 years he will send messengers from his prison cell to Jesus asking, "Are you the One, or should we wait for another?" Today he is sure. He signals the presence of the Lamb of God. He has begun his ministry.
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, lift up thy voice with strength. [Is 40:9]
Lift it up, be not afraid. [Is 40:9]
Say unto the cities of Judah, "Behold your God." [Is 40:9]
Arise, shine, for thy Light is come. [Is 60:1]
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. [Is 60:1]
Comfort ye My people. [Is 40:1]
And cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished. [Is 40:2]
Her iniquity is pardoned. [Is 40:2]
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Is 40:3]
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low. [Is 40:4]
Like someone who has seen a spaceship believes in aliens, so the shepherds now believed in the angels and the Promise made to Abraham. The Messiah had come. He was not an allegory or millenial fantasy. He was not Hezekiah or any of the righteous kings of Israel's past. He did not announce Himself like the wild insurrectionists who every now and again embarassed Judea by proclaiming themselves the heirs to David's throne. He was an infant in swaddling clothes lying in a manger because there was no room for Him at the Inn. The story they had been told upon thier mother's knees had come true.
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [Lk 2:8]
And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them. [Lk 2:9]
And the Glory of the Lord shone round about them. [Lk 2:9]
And they were sore afraid. [Lk 2:9]
And the Angel said unto them, "Fear not... [Lk 2:10]
"For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people... [Lk 2:10]
"For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." [Lk 2:11]
And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God. [Lk 2:13]
And saying, "Glory to God in the highest." [Lk 2:14]
"And peace on earth, good will towards men." [Lk 2:14]
Suddenly, the Lord comes into His Temple - the son of Joseph, or so it seems - an infant in swaddling clothes and a refiner's fire. Simeon predicts the "fall and rising again of many in Israel" as they encounter the Light. The Child's followers will count themselves blessed when they experience trials, for whom God loves He also purifies.
The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple. [Mal 3:1]
Even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in. [Mal 3:1]
Behold He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. [Mal 3:1]
But who may abide the day of His coming? [Mal 3:2]
And who shall stand when He appeareth? [Mal 3:2]
For He is like a refiner's fire. [Mal 3:2]
And He shall purify the sons of Levi... [Mal 3:3]
That they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. [Mal 3:3]
The Gentiles shall come to thy light. [Is 60:3]
And kings to the brightness of thy rising. [Is 60:3]
A twelve year old boy speaks in the Temple astonishing His elders. Listen closely and you will hear the Gospel of Peace. Wear His yoke with the meekness of a child and you will enter His rest.
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace... [Rom 10:15]
And bring glad tidings of good things. [Rom 10:15]
Their sound is gone out into all lands... [Rom 10:18]
And their words unto the ends of the world. [Rom 10:18]
Come unto Him all ye that labor and are heavy laden... [Mt 11:28]
And He will give you rest. [Mt 11:28]
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him. [Mt 11:29]
For he is meek and lowly in heart. [Mt 11:29]
And ye shall find rest unto your souls. [Mt 11:29]
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. [Mt 11:30]
THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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