The Roman Martyrology is an official, ancient collection of records, the pages of which are filled - in simple, brief, but impressive words - with the glorious deeds of the Soldiers of Christ. The history of many saints and martyrs, now all but forgotten to the mists of time, were recorded in this book during the early ages of the Catholic Church.

Every single day of the year has a listing in this impressive record… but what is the entry for the 25th day of December? On Christmas Day each year this passage is read, or chanted, from the Roman Martyrology. The public reading of it is, in and of itself, a centuries old and solemn tradition of the Church - every year, every Christmas. This ancient, authentic manuscript of the Church tells us all - past, present, and those who will live in the future - exactly when Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born:

"In the 5,199th year of the creation of the world, from the time when in the beginning God created heaven and earth;
from the flood, the 2,957th year;
from the birth of Abraham, the 2,015th year;
from Moses and the going-out of the people of Israel from Egypt, the 1,510th year;
from the anointing of David as king, the 1,032nd year;
in the 65th week according to the prophecy of Daniel;
in the 194th Olympiad; from the founding of the city of Rome, the 752nd year;
in the 42nd year of the rule of Octavian Augustus, when the whole world was at peace,
in the sixth age of the world:
Jesus Christ, the eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived by the Holy Ghost, and nine months having passed since His conception

(A higher tone of voice is now used, and all kneel)

was born in Bethlehem of Juda of the Virgin Mary, having become man.
THE NATIVITY of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh."

~ The Roman Martyrology for December 25th