A Christmas Rosary

The First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation

The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS....

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word.

---- Luke 1:26-38 KJV

Tradition tells us that Mary was about fifteen when the angel appeared to her. Indeed, we often think of a virgin as a young girl. But what if Mary was an old virgin? What if, astonished at Gabriel's message, she had asked, "How can this be, seeing I am well beyond the age of childbearing and am still a virgin?"

Elizabeth was with child in her old age. Sarah bore the child of promise in her nineties. And here is Mary, young or old, being asked to bear a son whom the prophets describe as a Refiner's Fire and a Shepherd who gently carries his lambs in his bosom.

Say 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. 1 Glory Be.


The Second Joyful Mystery
The Visitation

Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

---- Luke 1:39-48 KJV

I wonder why Mary went to visit Elisabeth. Was she afraid? Was she excited? Did she wonder if the angel had been merely a dream? It must have been a dangerous journey - three to five days in the hill country - for a woman alone. Could it be she was hiding from those who would not believe and would stone her for an adulteress? Was the life of the Christ child already threatened? When she greets Elisabeth, John the Baptist leaps for joy in his mother's womb confirming all that the angel has said.

Here in Luke's gospel is the origin of the Hail Mary. I like to think that with God there is no time - that in some spiritual way we are actually with Jesus and Mary as we meditate on these Mysteries - that perhaps through some brief gap in time Mary could hear very faintly, in many tongues and generations, voices repeating, "'Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.' The Desire of All Nations is coming. We are praying and praising God because you are going to raise the Son of God and you will do so very, very well."

Say 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. 1 Glory Be.


The Third Joyful Mystery
The Nativity

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed....And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should 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 inn.

---- Luke 2:1-7 KJV

Christ would now have a body FOREVER. It would grow up. It would be nailed to a cross and it would be transfigured, but it would be a human body nonetheless.

A body can be a dangerous and tedious thing. You work all day to provide food and shelter for it. Even so it becomes sick and painful. An evil person might decide to give your body a real hurting. If your body is imprisoned, there your soul is with it. Satan would not have much to disturb us with if we could simply throw on a disposable body when we go forth to honeymoon. But, here is Jesus ready to be tempted with hunger, cold and pain. On the last day, he will raise our bodies up and we will be glad to see them.

Say 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. 1 Glory Be.


The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Presentation

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

---- Luke 2:22-32 KJV

Jesus was about forty days old. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and many strangers had seen the face of God and lived. Some of them may have been Gentiles looking at their great light. This light cried, fed and slept like normal children. So normal and yet Mary and Joseph must've wondered 'What happens if I smack God's little hand? If I stumble and drop this infant, will the whole world fall? because it is all held together by him, you know.'

Don't be afraid Mary and Joseph. We are Israel. We have wrestled with God. Even the prophets screamed and sulked in the face of God. And yet, He has come to save us from our sins.

Say 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. 1 Glory Be.


The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not,they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

---- Luke 2:41-51 KJV

Why did Jesus do this? Mary and Joseph must've been frantic. "Have we offended Jesus? Have the soldiers killed him? Has he been sold into some low, evil slavery in a distant land? Is the will of God for our son even now cruel? Would they crucify a child?"

What did Jesus mean - "I must be about my Father's business?" Was he saying, "I know who I am." Had he heard the talk in Jerusalem - "Look, there is the one whose parents think he is the Messiah!" Did the children tease him - "Where is your father?...If you are the Christ....".

Say 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. 1 Glory Be.


The Prayers of the Rosary

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.