9781644135945

The Christmas Cycle
night of sin and blindness depart. A new life is given to us: “I am come that they may have life
and may have it more abundantly” ( Jn 10:10).
The new life which is given to us is a participation in the divine life. It is a share in the pure
and blessed life which the Holy Trinity lives in heaven. By reason of our adoption as sons of
God we may hope to share and enjoy this life. The Son of God in His Incarnation has taken
us to Himself and made us members of His mystical body, and has thus lifted us up so that it
is possible for us to enjoy the life of God. Could anything more sublime have happened to us?
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost share with us their blessed and ineffable life. Indeed,
we have been redeemed, and that redemption means not only freedom from our sins, but
also the privilege of living henceforth the life of the divinity. We have been made the beloved
children of God.
“By this hath the charity of God appeared towards us, because God hath sent His only-begotten
Son into the world that we may live by Him. In this is charity; not as though we had
loved God, but because He hath first loved us, and sent His Son to be a propitiation for
our sins” (1 Jn 4:9 f.).
We are redeemed. The God of heaven comes to us, and we are elevated to a participation
in the divine life. The divine life, which flows from the Father to the Son, is communicated to
men also through the humanity of Christ. By faith, reverence, and love, we open our hearts to
the benign influence of this divine life. God clothes our soul in His love, His purity, His holiness.
For these divine favors we are grateful. We know by these favors that we are truly redeemed and
that we are now raised to a new life through Christ, who has purchased them for us.
Prayer
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who are oppressed by the former servitude
under the yoke of sin, may be delivered by the new birth of Thy only-begotten Son, which we
await, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn (Dn 3:52–59)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised and glorified and
exalted above all forever.
And blessed is the holy name of Thy glory: and worthy to be praised and exalted above
all in all ages.
Blessed art Thou in the holy temple of Thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised and exceeding
glorious forever.
Blessed art Thou on the throne of Thy kingdom: and exceedingly to be praised and exalted
above all forever.
Blessed art Thou that beholdest the depths and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to
be praised and exalted above all forever.
Blessed art Thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise and glorious forever.
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all forever.
O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt Him above all forever.
O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all forever.
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