1:78 the day: Also translated "the dayspring", or simply "the rising" (textual note f). • In light of the OT, Zechariah's words can be viewed from different angles. (1) The "rising" is used idiomatically to describe the rising sun at dawn or the stars at night. Several texts draw upon this notion to depict the Messiah as a light or star (Num 24:17; Is 9:2; Mal 4:2). (2) The "rising" also connects with Jer 23:5 and Zech 3:8; 6:12 of the Greek OT. In these texts, the same expression depicts the Messiah as a branch that rises or sprouts from the royal stock of David. Since Zechariah mentions David (1:69) and the Messiah's light (1:79) in this context, both connotations are possible. See note on Mt 2:23. Back to text.

2:1 Caesar Augustus: The Roman emperor from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. He was famous for establishing peace in the empire, the noted Pax Romana ("Roman Peace"), and was hailed as a "god" and "savior" by his subjects. Luke indicates that Caesar's decree was caught up into God's plan, since it brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy about the Messiah's birthplace (Mic 5:2; Mt 2:3-6). be enrolled: i.e., registered by a census. In Judea, custom required families to be enlisted in their ancestral hometowns (2:3-4). Back to text.

2:4 Bethlehem: A small Judean village about 90 miles south of Nazareth. It was known principally as the hometown of King David and the site of his royal anointing (1 Sam 16:1-13). See note on Mt 2:1. Back to text.

2:7 first-born: A legal term linked with a son's social standing and rights of inheritance (Deut 21:15-17). It does not imply that Mary had other children after Jesus, only that she had none before him (CCC 500). As the only begotten One, Jesus is also the first-born Son of the Father (Jn 1:18; Col 1:15). See note on Mt 12:46. swaddling cloths: Newborns were wrapped with strips of cloth to prevent movement in their arms and legs. • Luke's description recalls King Solomon's birth (Wis 7:4-6). a manger: A feeding trough for horses, cattle, etc. • Allegorically (St. Cyril of Alexandria, Catena of the Greek Fathers): the setting of Christ's birth points us to the Eucharist. Since through sin man becomes like the beasts, Christ lies in the trough where animals feed, offering them, not hay, but his own body as life-giving bread. Back to text.

2:8 shepherds: Religious Jews often frowned upon this occupation. • As with these men, God favored numerous shepherds in the OT, including Abel (Gen 4:2-4), Jacob (Gen 31:3-13), Joseph (Gen 37:2-9), Moses (Ex 3:1-6), David (1 Sam 16:11-13), and Amos (Amos 1:1). Back to text.

2:9 glory of the Lord: The bright and fiery cloud of God's presence (Ex 40:35; Num 9:15-17; CCC 697). Back to text.

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