The Christmas Eve Martyrology, or "Proclamation of the Nativity," is a traditional reading from the Roman Martyrology that situates Jesus' birth within salvation history, counting years from Creation, the Flood, Abraham, Moses, David, Rome's founding, and Augustus's reign, culminating in Christ's birth in Bethlehem, chanted historically during the liturgical hour of Prime on the morning of the Christmas Vigil. It is this little babe born at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold, the Christ, who fulfills ancient prophecies and promises.

It meticulously lists major world events to pinpoint the exact time of Christ's arrival, such as:

🌎Creation of the world (5,199 years before).
⛈️The Great Flood (2,957 years after).
✨Abraham (2,015 years after).
⛓️‍💥Moses & Exodus (1,510 years after).
👑David's Anointing (1,032 years after).
🐺Founding of Rome (752 years after).
🏛️Reign of Augustus Caesar (42nd year).

It concludes with the birth of Jesus: "Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since his conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become man of the Virgin Mary"

The coming of Christ isn’t a random event, but the fulfillment of all history: the awaited coming of our Savior.