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

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

Sunday Within The Octave
   Of The Nativity Of Our Lord.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.

Altar Frontal (Antependium) designed by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART

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

It is said on 30 December (a Week-Day), if the Sunday falls on 25 December, or on 26 December, or on 27 December, or on 28 December.

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 The 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 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.
Second Collect: Of The Octave of The Nativity.

Credo: Is Said or Sung.
Preface: For Christmas.
Communicantes for Christmas: During The Octave.