Sermon – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23) – September 8, 2026

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary with great joy .

Today, we commemorate the birth of Mary, whom God chose to be the Mother of the Savior.

The biblical text begins with a long list describing Jesus' family tree. At first glance, it may seem like just a list of many names.

But Matthew shows us a very important truth: God intervenes in human history. God's plan for salvation is being prepared over generations and ultimately reaches Christ, Jesus.

And Mary holds a very special place in this history.

From the outside, Mary's birth was an ordinary and quiet event. A child was born. But in God's eyes, this birth is one of the great beginnings of salvation.

Because this baby girl, who has been born into this world, will be the mother who, in due time, will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.

Therefore, the birth of Mary is like the dawn of the birth of Christ.

Just as dawn heralds the rising sun, so the birth of Mary is the beginning of a great blessing preparing the way for the coming of the Savior Jesus.

In today's Bible, an angel says to Joseph:

Mary will give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Here, Jesus is at the center of everything. This is where Mary's greatness comes from: she trusted in God's plan, said "yes" to God's call, and brought the Savior into the world.

Today, as we celebrate the birth of Mary, let us also reflect on our own lives.

Sometimes God begins great things with small and quiet beginnings.

The birth of Mary was like that too. But in the hands of God, a small beginning turned into a great history of salvation for all of humanity.

Therefore, let us ask the Virgin Mary for this today:

O Virgin Mary, teach us to trust in God. Teach us to say "yes" to God's will, just as you did. Prepare our hearts to accept Jesus and to introduce Him to the world.

May the joy of Mary's birth renew hope in all our hearts.

And through him, let us also serve the birth of Christ in the world with our lives, so that His love and mercy may spread among people.

Let us rejoice today on the occasion of the birth of Mary; for with Mary's saying "yes," the salvation of humanity began.