Fruits of the Mystery: Poverty  in spirit, Detachment from the things of the world, Contempt of riches, Love of the poor

The infant Jesus is born in the humble surroundings of a lodging house, far from home, in the press of travellers involved in a census taking. It is a lowly beginning for a life that will fulfil the destiny prophesied of old for the Christ, the Redeemer of mankind.

Luke 2:4-7  So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.

Love Came Down at Christmas

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Christina Georgina Rossetti

The Window

Below a heavenly castle, a single star in the firmament, brighter than the rest, casts down its light in front of the simple timbers of the place where Jesus is born. Joseph and Mary stand over the newborn infant Jesus, who lies on top of the white swaddling clothes that protect him from the straw of the manger.

The scroll in the bottom light reads: Verbum caro factum est (the Word is made flesh), describing the Incarnation of the deity in the form of a small child.

The inscription at the foot of the window reads: Pray for the good estate of George Seddon and his family. October 1928.

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The Rosary
Second Joyful Mystery
Fourth Joyful Mystery