What did the angels mean by saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace”? The shepherds must have wondered when they heard it from a multitude of the heavenly host. It had begun with one angel, and that was bad enough, for they were “sore afraid” when he appeared, though the first thing the messenger of God said was: “Fear not.” Once they had swallowed down their fear they heard the news: that a saviour had been born that very day. As a sign that they had discovered the right newbor
Mary, virgin and mother, is the symbol and the most perfect realization of the Church (CCC 507). The Church indeed. . . by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By .