Introduction
This Christmas Rosary Reflection is the third of three parts of the Infancy narrative of Jesus found in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke
The Gospel Account
In this part, after an angel of the Lord announces that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, the shepherds visit Bethlehem to find the infant Jesus. They tell what they had seen and heard from the angel, then return home, glorifying and praising God.
The Shepherd’s Visitation Reflection contains the verses of this passage from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Luke 2:15-20.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from Mary’s prayer in the Gospel. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: The Shepherds Go to Bethlehem (Luke 2:15)
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made know to us.”
Second Decade: The Shepherds Find Jesus (Luke 2:16)
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
Third Decade: The Shepherds Share the Angel’s Message (Luke 2:17-18)
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
Fourth Decade: Mary Reflects on the Shepherd’s Message (Luke 2:19)
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Fifth Decade: The Shepherds Return Praising God (Luke 2:20)
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
What to Remember
This Christmas Gospel passage reflects the faith of the shepherds to seek out what the Lord made known to them – finding the savior born for them as Messiah and Lord. When they saw the sign, the infant lying in a manger; they became the first evangelizers – they made known the message told them about the child and amazed those who listened to them. They returned home as changed people – glorifying and praising God.
As a follower of Jesus, and child of God, you can relive this story with faith and amazement, asking Mary to help you share the message about her Son.
What to Pray For
- For a deeper faith and openness to share what you have seen and heard for yourself about God’s appearance in your life.
- For the willingness to see and hear Jesus in the still and humble manger of the Eucharist.
- For greater amazement and joy at the witness of other believers telling of their faith and personal encounters with Jesus.
- For all humanity to glorify and praise God by seeking peace with each other.
When This Gospel Appears
Luke’s Gospel account in the Gospel reading on Christmas Day, in the Lectionary. The latest appearance is December 25, 2022.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible
Click here to pray Christmas Rosary Reflection-Part 1, The Birth of Jesus.
Click here to pray Christmas Rosary Reflection-Part 2, The Annunciation to the Shepherds.
