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The Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most
important mysteries of the Christian faith. It is the
foundation for the certainty of all that we believe.
Because Jesus is the God-Man we can trust all that He
teaches and have a firm hope in all that He promised. On
the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and nine months
later at Christmas (December 25) we go down onto our knees
when we profess this beautiful doctrine of God the Son
taking on a human nature and becoming the God-Man.
We kneel when we profess this doctrine in the creed at
Christmas. Yes. We kneel at the words
and by the Holy Spirit was
Incarnate
at all the Christmas Eve Masses on
December 24, the Midnight Mass, and all the Masses during
Christmas Day on 25th. At the Feast of the Annunciation we
genuflect.
This can be difficult to remember, so the following
memory technique is suggested by DTBride.
Place a bulletin on your legs during the homily, so when
you stand for the creed the bulletin - or whatever paper you
use will remind you that there is something special to
remember, that is, to kneel or genuflect during the
appropriate time at the Creed.
General Instruction of the Roman
Missal, GIRM AD 2011 states :
137. The Symbol or Creed is sung
or recited by the Priest together with the people (cf.
no. 68) with everyone standing. At the words et
incarnatus est, etc. (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and
became man) all make a profound bow; but on the
Solemnities of the
Annunciation and of
the Nativity of the Lord,
all genuflect.
(USCCB)
(Vatican)
(emphasis added with colored text)
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