Gospel (Lk 2,1-14) - In those days a decree from Caesar Augustus ordered that a census be taken of the whole land. This first census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to be registered, each in their own city. Joseph also, from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, went up to Judea to the city of David called Bethlehem: he in fact belonged to the house and family of David. He had to be registered together with Maria, his wife, who was pregnant. While they were in that place, the days of her giving birth came to pass. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging. There were some shepherds in that region who, staying in the open air, kept watch all night guarding their flock. An angel of the Lord presented himself to them and the glory of the Lord surrounded them with light. They were filled with great fear, but the angel said to them: «Do not be afraid: behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people: today, in the city of David, a Savior is born for you, who is Christ. Gentleman. This is the sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And immediately a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among men whom he loves."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

The Christmas Gospel talks about the uphill journey of Mary and Joseph. Yes, we too must "go up" towards Bethlehem, towards that cave. And there, the angel tells us as he did to the shepherds: "You will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And from that manger the new story begins. And it begins with a small group of shepherds, humble and despised people. It may appear to be a minor, secondary story, yet it is the story that radically changes the world. Christmas asks us to welcome that child: he is the «Prince of Peace. Great will be his power and peace will have no end", writes the prophet Isaiah. That child has the face of the many children of this world who cry for war and violence, and he asks us to welcome the immense cry of those who no longer have hope for the future. In that child there is the dream of a renewed, saved world. The apostle Paul writes to Titus: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." Yes, on this night - the night of an inhuman world - the mystery of Christmas returns so that the announcement of the Gospel to the poor is stronger, so that the prophecy of peace is higher. Let's welcome the mystery of Christmas! We are not afraid of being reborn with that child! He gives everything and with us he wants his story to expand and strengthen in the world. He only asks us to be reborn with him to live from his love for him. He asks us this as he asked those shepherds who, after seeing that child, "went back, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, as they had been told". Not only did they not despise him, they welcomed him with joy and immediately began talking about him: "After seeing him, they reported what they had been told about the child." They welcomed him and became shepherds of men. They were ignorant, but they received new and wise words to communicate the joy of Christmas. With them a new story began that has continued over the centuries and reaches us. Many await the Gospel to be resurrected to a more peaceful life, many await the community to dream of peace, they knock on its doors to ask for help and hold out their hands to be taken and accompanied. That child is the answer to the need for love that rises from this world of ours.