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deacon the tunic. The organ accompanies the singing.
This third week corresponds with the third and fourth
epochs of the world during which took place the call
of Abraham, the sacrifice of Isaac, the dwelling of the
people of God in the land of Gessen, the going out of
Egypt, the promulgation of the Law on Mount Sinai,
the prolonged sojourn in the desert, the entrance into
the Promised Land and definite settlement in the land
of Canaan, the ruling of the people by judges, the esta
blishment of royalty, the election of Saul and his re
probation because of his disobedience, lastly the acces
sion of David with whom begins the royal family from
which the Messias will be born. These various events
in the history of the people of God were a preparation
for the coming of the Saviour and they announced His
approach.
Qualities of spiritual Joy. The joy of the Chris
tian is SPIRITUAL and SUPERNATURAL. It has as its
source the grace of the Holy Ghost who by enlightening
our understanding and touching our hearts inspires us
with it. It is caused by the thought that the coming
of our divine Redeemer will atone for the outrage done
to God by sin and, by bringing pardon to men, will assure
their salvation. But this joy must be HUMBLE and
MODEST, in accordance with the recommendation of
the Apostle, for we do not deserve the mercy which
-the Son of God shows us by descending from heaven
to earth, and the greatness of the favour must not make
us forget our unworthiness. Only those who have spent
the first two weeks of Advent in making reparation for
their faults by prayer and penance, can thus rejoice in
the coming of our divine Saviour. By purifying their
consciences and striving to practise virtue, they will
complete their preparation.