The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:1-17)
According to St Matthew's gospel, Isaiah's prophecy of the Virgin Birth refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. St Matthew explains that this prophecy was fulfilled through the Virgin Mary, who conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
The Crucifixion (Psalm 22:1-18)
Psalm 22 is a prayer for relief from suffering. It was traditionally attributed to King David and also understood as a reference to the crucifixion of Christ.
The Song of Creation (Daniel 3:46-90)
The Benedicite is a hymn from the Book of Daniel that celebrates God's creation. It is often used in Christian liturgy as a hymn of thanksgiving.
The Piercing of the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-14)
Zechariah prophesied that the people of Jerusalem would mourn bitterly over someone they had pierced. In his gospel. St John interpreted this as a reference to the death of Christ.
The Life of St Joseph (Matthew 1:18-2:23)
St Joseph is probably best-known for his key role in the Nativity, but there are several other episodes recorded in the gospels that tell us more about his life.