THE NATIVITY 'OF JESUS'
'Glory to God in the highest heaven' (Lk 2, 14)
(From the Bible the work reference tracks produced by Mosaic School of Friuli and, in short, the comment / explanation of Paolo Orlando author of the artworks. Ph.: Ulderica da Pozzo)
Lk 2, 1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be of the whole earth. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to be enrolled, each to his own city. Even Joseph, from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. He had to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging.
There were in the same country shepherds that, when using outdoors, kept watch all night keeping watch over their flock. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were exceedingly afraid, but the angel said to them:
"Fear not: behold, I announce to you a great joy, which shall be to all the people: Today, the city of David, is born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. "
And suddenly there was with the angel a heavenly host, praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those whom he loves."
The angels with their songs, the heavens with a brighter star than the others, the land with a cave, the animals with their manger, mankind with Mary: the entire universe welcomes its Creator, the Lord of the universe and of history.
In the darkness of the cave appears little sign of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, helpless.
He begins with a weak light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not receive it, even if the cradle will become a grave for him, even though Joseph is turned away and doesn't understand what has happened. Maria, with his outstretched body, protects the mystery. Welcoming she welcomes the blessed fruit of her womb.