Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Nativity of
Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas)
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your
incarnate Word,
the light of faith, which illumines our minds,
may also shine through in our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Collect, Christmas, Mass at Dawn
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the
first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And
Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of
Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was
with child. While they were there, the time came for her
to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the
fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The
angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the
Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great
fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for
behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for
you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for
you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling
clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was
a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising
God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom
his favor rests.”
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in
silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught
your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group,
after the reflection time, invite the participants to
share their responses.
Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to
the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that
the Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this
reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord
asking of me?
There was no room for them in the inn. For whom do I
need to make room in my life and heart? How can I be
more welcoming to those I meet?
Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good
news of great joy that will be for all the people. What
fears and worries keep me from proclaiming the Gospel?
How can I be more diligent about sharing my faith?
Glory to God in the highest/ and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests. How does my life bring glory
to God? How can I be a messenger of God’s peace?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion,
all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
From Psalm 96
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Read Disciples Called to Witness
(https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/howwe-teach/new-evangelization/disciples-called-towitness) and reflect on ways that you can
implement its suggestions.
Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition ©
2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright
owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the
Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical
edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with
permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be
reproduced by any means without permission in writing from
the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal ©
2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy
Corporation. All rights reserved