September 8, 2012 – Matthew 1:1-16,18-23 – The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived her from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save, his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord through the prophet had spoken: "Look, the virgin shall convene and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel who means God is with us.”

Father Patrick Fitzpatrick announced that today is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary. Joseph, her husband, the man of Bethlehem, had a meeting with Angel Gabriel about Mary's pregnancy. In his second visit, Angel Gabriel told Joseph in his dream “Don’t be afraid!” So Joseph stood by Mary until the child Jesus was born. Father Patrick recited the Litany of St. Mary.