O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.

O God, come to my assistance, O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest.

The penitential prelude of Advent sounded in muted, tender and expectant undertones; the Christmas crescendo culminated in a triumphant resounding royal march: the "Glory to God in the highest". The music of the spheres, the trill of the shepherd's pipes and the lowing of the cattle swelled the glad chorus of created things. Today Holy Church continues the celebrations of Christmas; today the Sacred Liturgy continues our instruction in the mystery of Christmas, teaching us that the "Spirit of Christmas" is the Spirit of Christianity, (St. John 1: 14)

On each Sunday the "Last Gospel" (St. John 1: 14) read just before the final blessing, reviews our Christmas lesson by reminding us that Jesus Christ "was made flesh and dwelt among us". These words show us the Bethlehem stable and tell us of the humble "Son of Man" Who has made us the "sons of God". We kneel in adoration before the Crib, where Mary cradles the Infant King in her arms. Through the Liturgy God speaks, saying: "While all things were in quiet silence, the Word leapt down from heaven. He is clothed with beauty, strength and power." (Wisdom 18: 14—15) And we hear the Angels message to Joseph: "Take the Child and His Mother and go." (St. Matthew 2: 20).

As we worship our Lord, enthroned on His Mother's knees, we renew our faith, love and gratitude; we know that in giving us Himself Christ gives us new life and light, dwells within us, unites us with the Father and shows us "His glory, full of grace and truth." We rise and go to our daily tasks, secure and strong because we bear the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in our hearts.

A sign of wonder and contradiction, the corner stone and support of some, the stumbling block of others, Christ, by His mere presence, implies a choice. It is for us to welcome into our lives Him whom each one, for his salvation or eternal perdition, must receive or reject.

Acclamations For Reflection:—
Celebrating the prophecies of His coming,
His birth, and His return at the end of time.

• We have received your mercy, O God, within Your temple.

• Profound peace shall flower in the days of the Lord and He shall rule.

• Truth sprang out of the earth and justice looked down from heaven.