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Home , Nativity of Jesus

Merry From Co-Cathedral of Theresa of the Child

Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa the Child of Jesus 712 North School St. Honolulu, HI 96817 -- 808-521-1700 What is the Nativity of Jesus? Nativity (pronounced nuh TIV uh tee) means the birth of a person. By definition nativity also includes the facts of someone’s birth, such as the time, place, and situation. The term “” is commonly used for depictions of Jesus ’s birth, in paintings, sculptures, and movies. The word “nativity” comes from the Latin term nativus, which means “born.” The mentions the nativity of several prominent characters, but today the term is used primarily in connection with the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Nativity of Jesus in Jesus’ birth is described in :18-2:12 and :1-21.

For centuries, scholars have debated the time of Christ’s birth. Some believe it was in April, others suggest December, but it is generally agreed that the year was 4 B.C., based on Bible verses, Roman records, and the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, prophets foretold the circumstances of the ’s nativity. Those prophecies came true, as recorded in Matthew and Luke. The odds against all the Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled in one person, Jesus, are astronomical.

Among those prophecies was the prediction that the Messiah would be born in the city of , a small village about five miles southwest of . Bethlehem was the birthplace of King , from whose line the Messiah, or Savior, was supposed to come.

Only through a series of supernatural circumstances did this prophecy come true. The Roman Empire ordered a census of all Jewish citizens, but it required that people return to their birthplace. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, was born in Bethlehem, so he left his current home in and took his pregnant wife Mary back to his home town.

Shortly after Jesus’ birth, he was visited by shepherds who had been told of the event by an . Perhaps as much as two years later, a group of wise men, or kings from the east, also came to pay homage. These visits meant Jesus would be a Savior for all people, both great and small.

God promised to be not just for us but also among us. In the book of , the Messiah is called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Jesus’ name in Hebrew, Yeshua, means “Yahweh [] is Salvation.” Translated from the ancient Greek of the to modern English, this name becomes “Jesus.” After Christ’s ascension into heaven, he sent the Spirit to live inside every believer, making God truly “with us.”

Bethlehem is home to the of the Nativity, built by and his empress mother Helena (circa A.D. 330). Beneath the church is a grotto that is said to house the cave (stable) where Jesus was born. The First Nativity Scene The first nativity scene, or creche, was created by in 1223. He gathered local people in Italy to portray the biblical characters and used a figure made of wax to represent the infant Jesus. The portrayal quickly caught on, and live and sculpted nativity scenes spread all over Europe.

Nativity scenes were popular with painters such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Rembrandt. The event is depicted in stained glass windows in churches and cathedrals throughout the world.

Today, many display a nativity scene featuring figurines depicting Jesus’ birth when they put up their Christmas decorations. Nativities scenes of Jesus often come up in the news in lawsuits when they are displayed on public property. In the United States, courts have ruled that religious symbols cannot be displayed on taxpayer-supported property, due to the constitutional separation of church and state. In Europe, atheists and

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Is 9:1) The wait is over, and the promised Messiah has come into the world. And yet, now that he has arrived, we are still overwhelmed by the mystery we ponder. On this Feast of Christmas Day we suddenly come face-to- face with God, and his face is that of a little child. With the birth of this child, God speaks to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. “This Son is the reflection of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of the Father’s being, and sustains all things by his powerful word.”(Hebrew 1:3)

He himself is light, “the real light that gives light to every man.” (:9) This is the light that scatters all darkness, but it also dazzles our minds. How can this helpless infant be the almighty God? How can the eternal Son of the Father be born of a woman? Yet, it is precisely in this surprisingly humble way that God has chosen to come among us.

If we rely on our natural perceptions alone, we may still enjoy Christmas, but only as a sentimental holiday. The main point of Christmas, the reason why all creation rejoices today, is not that a cute little baby is born but that God is with us. The baby we can see with our eyes, but the presence of God we can only see with the eyes of faith.

Though the incarnation (Jesus becoming man) is incomprehensible, the worshipped the newborn Jesus because they wholeheartedly accept what God has revealed. We must do the same; we must also wholeheartedly accept Jesus, the revealed to us. At the announcement that the Lord is now “an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a ,” (Lk 2:12) multitudes of Angels burst into joyful song: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will (Lk 2:14). We join them in the song whenever we pray and sing the Gloria at Mass.

The joy and the light of Christmas has not yet penetrated all the ends of the earth. There is still “no room for him” in many parts of the world and in many hearts and homes. As we rejoice in wonder at the coming of the Lord, we pray for all who are suffering, for all who are still living in darkness of sin, and beg the Lord to shine his light on all people. “May every heart all over the earth prepare to receive the King of Kings!”

A joyful Christmas to all.

Fr. Gregorio Honorio Jr. May the Peace and Blessings Of Christmas fill your hearts and May the bring you, happiness, prosperity and good health Mele Kalikimaka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou From all of us at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa the Child of Jesus and Saint Theresa School

Dates to Remember

NEW YEAR’S EVE, December 31st 6:30 am Mass 5:30 pm Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Mass 7:00 pm of Mary, Mother of God Vigil Mass NEW YEAR’S DAY, January 1st (SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD) 6:30 am Mass 9:00 am Mass 1:00 pm Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Mass

SAINT THERESA SCHOOL January 7th - Winter Break Ends / School Resumes

Religious Education Program January 6th - Classes Resume