Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Christmas Gospel: Midnight Mass

The Christmas Gospel as in the Codex Fuldensis Gospel: The Nativity of the Lord: Midnight Mass
Using data publicly available from:
http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Calendar/2007/Dec07.html
and The Sunday Missal to cross-check
This Week's Gospel: Luke 2: 1 - 14.
(25th-December-2007) The Nativity of the Lord: Midnight Mass

Today a saviour has been born to us.
The reading continues the reading started last Sunday, at exactly the point I left off, that is, from the eleventh paragraph of the caput listed, then runs on to start the next caput, up to paragraph three. The reading, is taken entirely from Luke.
It may be significant that this reading and the previous one are contiguous in the Codex Fuldensis Gospel.

V. De generatione vel nativitate Christi.
(Of the generation and birth of Christ.)

And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David. To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.

VI. Ubi angelus apparuit pastoribus.
(Where the Angel appeared to the shepherds.)

And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear.

And the angel said to them: 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.

No comments: