Although the Christmas mystery has special significance to Christian believers, it is a universal message—sacred and secular—of faith, hope, and charity for all mankind. Merry Christmas is the traditional English Language greeting for the season. The traditional Christmas Proclamation tells this story.
The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
Today, the twenty-fifth day of December,
unknown ages since the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.
Several thousand years after the flood,
when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the convenant.
Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;
thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.
Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;
one thousand years from the anointing of David as king;
in the sixty-fifty week according to the prophecy of Daniel.
In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome.
The forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;
the whole world being at peace,
Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to sanctify the world by this most merciful coming,
being conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and nine month having passed since his conception,
was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.
Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
Source: Sacramentary Supplement, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
