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The Christmas Cycle
throne, who does not feel the power of the devil? Does it not appear that we are approaching
that time when Satan will be released from the depths of hell to work his wonders and
mislead, if possible, even the elect? (Apoc 20; Mt 24:24.)
“Come, tarry not.” Observe how thoroughly the world of today has submitted to the reign of
Satan. Mankind has abandoned the search for what is good and holy. Loyalty, justice, freedom,
love, and mutual trust are no longer highly regarded. Establish, O God, Thy kingdom among us,
a kingdom established upon truth, justice, and peace. “Come, tarry not.” “Thy kingdom come.”
Prayer
O Root of Jesse, who standest as an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence
and the Gentiles shall make supplication, come to deliver us and tarry not. Amen.
December 20, O Clavis David
“O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, who openeth and no man shutteth, who
shutteth and no man openeth, come and bring forth from his prison house the captive that
walketh in darkness and in the shadow of death.”
O sublime majesty of the coming Redeemer! To Him has been delivered the key, the government
of the house of David (Is 22:22). Boundless is His power over the graces and privileges
of the Church; over the souls and hearts and the wills of men. He holds the destiny of the
Church in the palm of His hand. He is Master of the storms that arise to destroy the Church
and the souls committed to her. He is capable of dealing with the false principles and the
errors that threaten her doctrines. He has overcome the devil and his associates, the world,
the flesh and its tribulations. To Him all power is given (Mt 28:18). “He shall open and none
shall shut” (Is 22:22). Against the power that is His all other forces are powerless. The destiny
of souls and the government of the Church is placed in His hand. He is the Lord of all. O
Key of David, I believe in Thy power; and in the many difficult situations that confront the
Church and my own soul, I place my trust in Thee. Come, lead the captives from their prison.
With the key of His almighty power, the Redeemer has opened the prison in which poor,
sinful man was languishing in darkness and in the shadow of death. Those who were held
captive by Satan and by sin, who were degraded and dishonored, are now given the power
to become the children of God. They are rescued from the beast who would degrade them;
their good inclinations and desires are strengthened; and they are made a dwelling place of
the Holy Spirit. Men were slaves of passion; they were bound and fettered by concupiscence
of the eyes, the concupiscence of the flesh, and the pride of life.
Key of David, come and deliver the captives from their prison. The Church wishes that by
the practice of virtue we should free ourselves from sin and unfaithfulness. She asks God that
He may spare us from punishment, deliver us from His wrath, from an evil death, and from
hell. The Church prays that God may free us from a heart that clings to the world, from a spirit
that is pleased with worldliness, from a human respect that degrades us. She urges us to return
kindness and affection for scorn, love and compassion for persecution. Our Holy Mother the
Church prays that we may be delivered from ourselves, from our self-love, and from all our
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