The Sunday Within The Octave Of The Nativity Of Our Lord.

Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

This Mass is said on the Sunday, if this falls on 29 December, 30 December, or 31 December. In this case, every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

If the Sunday falls on 25 December, 26 December, 27 December, or 28 December, this Mass is said on 30 December (a weekday).

The Mass tells us that "the Word that came down from Heaven during the night" (Introit) of Christmas, is "the Son of God, Who has come that we might participate of His heritage and receive the adoption of sons" (Epistle).

Before His coming, man was as "a child, who, during his minority, differeth nothing from a servant" (Epistle), On the contrary, now that the New Law has emancipated him from the tutorship of thee Old Law, he is no longer a servant, but a son" (Epistle).

In revealing to us this supernatural Filiation of Christ, which affects our Souls more especially at this Season of Christmas, the Liturgy makes the Divinity, under the aspect of Paternity, resplendent in our eyes. Also, the worship of the sons of God is summed up in that word spoken with Jesus, "Father !" (Epistle).

The Gospel also discloses to us the glorious mission which the future has in store for this Child, the manifestation of which begins today in the Temple.

"It is the King" (Gradual), "whose Reign" (Alleluia) "will reach the very depths of the heart" (Gospel). For all, it will be a touchstone, a stumbling block for those who will persecute Him (Communion), a cornerstone "for many in Israel" (Gospel).

Mass: Dum médium siléntium . . .

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