Christ is Born!
🌞
Today's reading is directly related to the two readings I wrote about here:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042023.html
Hebrews IX, 19 — 'κοκκίνου' - 'kokkinou' - 'crimson'.
The Old Testament sacred objects and actions were the prototypes of the New Testament sacrifice of Christ. See more about redemption here:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/15072023.html
For the Gospel readings, please refer to the following link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27092023.html
To the Mother of God:
For the readings from the Apostle, please refer to the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/07042023.html
The Gospel reading is a direct continuation of yesterday's reading, which I wrote about here:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/25122023.html
Matthew II, 18 — 'παρακληθῆναι' - 'paraklethenai' - 'to be comforted; to be consoled; to be encouraged'. Here it is to be consoled
.
Matthew describes the escape of Joseph with Mary and the God-Baby Jesus (and probably also James, the Lord's brother, whose memory is commemorated today in connection with the Council) to Egypt, the killing of the babies by Herod, his end (death) and the return of the Holy Family from Egypt to Nazareth.
The Lord permitted babies to become the first martyrs (unconscious, unlike the first deacon Apostle Stephen, whose memory is tomorrow, and who suffered consciously for Christ) for Christ. It is the saddest event mentioned at Christmas, but it is full of hope for the eternal blissful life of the infant martyrs through the Coming of the Saviour into the world. For more information about the suffering, see the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/15072023.html
and other references cited there.
Matthew quotes the prophecies, reaffirming to the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth is the Promised Messiah, the Christ. See also in Ukrainian:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/Prorotstva.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!