This Rosary Reflection meditates on the Gospel story of Jesus’ infancy and naming, found in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
The Gospel Account
In this story 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. Then, the infant is named Jesus.
The Reflection contains the verses of this passage from the Gospel of Luke, Luke 2:16-21.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from the Gospel passage. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: The Shepherds Find Jesus (Luke 2:16)
The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
Second 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.
Third Decade: Mary Reflects on the Shepherd’s Message (Luke 2:19)
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Fourth 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.
Fifth Decade: The Naming of Jesus (Luke 2:21)
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
What to Remember
This 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 known the message told them about the child and amazed those who listened to them. Mary and Joseph keep the command of the angel to name the child Jesus.
As a follower of Jesus, and child of God, you can relive this story of the unfolding of God’s grace with faith and amazement, asking Mary to help you trust in God’s direction in your life.
What to Pray For
- For a deeper faith 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 a greater devotion to ask Mary, as the Mother of God, for help discerning God’s will for you.
- For all humanity to glorify and praise God by seeking peace with each other.
Feel free to pray the rosary using these Scripture verses to reflect on Mary as mother of Jesus.
When This Gospel Appears
This Gospel passage is proclaimed on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The latest appearance was January 1, 2023.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible