When the angels had disappeared, the shepherds said one to another: “Let us go[1] over to Bethlehem, and see the word that has come to pass, which the Lord hath shown us.” Going in haste[2], they found[3] Mary and Joseph in the stable, and the new-born Babe lying in the manger.
The shepherds adored Him, and went back to their flocks, praising and glorifying God for the wonders they had seen and heard. All the people that heard these things from the shepherds were astonished. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them [4] in her heart.
And after eight days the Child was circumcised, and His name was called Jesus, that is, Saviour, as the angel had commanded.
COMMENTARY.
Glory to God in the highest. Our redemption began at the Birth of Jesus Christ. For this reason the angels rejoiced and sang: “Glory to God!” The unbelief and disobedience of man had robbed God of the honour due to Him. Jesus Christ restored the honour of God by being obedient to His heavenly Father, even unto death on the cross, and by teaching the one true faith in God and the one true worship of God.
Peace to men of good will. Our Lord Jesus Christ has brought peace to man by reconciling earth to heaven, and winning pardon and grace for us. This peace on earth, which leads to the eternal peace of heaven, can only be obtained by those men who are of good will, i. e. by those who are willing to believe the doctrines of Christ, and who correspond with His grace. The shepherds were men of good will; they believed the angel, and hastened to obey his injunctions. It is
- ↑ Let us go. All doubt on the part of the shepherds had fled. They believed that "the Lord" had sent them the message, and but one thought filled them: “Let us go and see.”
- ↑ In haste. Impelled by an eager desire to see the Child who, according to what the angels had said, was come to be their Saviour.
- ↑ They found. Finding the Babe exactly as the angel had described, they believed all the rest which had been told them about the Child, namely, that He was Christ the Lord; and they fell on their knees before the manger and adored. With their hearts full of the glad news they had received, they related all they had seen and heard, first of all to the holy Mother of God and to St. Joseph, and then to all their friends and acquaintances.
- ↑ Pondering them. She treasured up every word of what the shepherds had seen and heard. She compared every word they had told her with the promises of the Messias contained in the prophets, and with what Gabriel had announced to herself; and on all sides she discovered a confirmation of her own belief that her Child, so wonderfully born of her, was the Son of God.
