Christmas Eve | 2016

Mosaic of the Journey to Bethlehem c.1315-1320

I will put enmity between you and the woman; and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

 — Genesis 3:15

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel. 

— Isaiah 7:14

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.

— Luke 2:1-5

Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.