In the Beginning Was the Word

On the Feast of the Birth of Our Lord, all priests are granted the privilege of celebrating three Masses. An ancient custom that was observed in intervals, midnight, dawn and in the day time, is still found in places today. The Gospel for each Mass is different. Midnight Mass has the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-14, the one most familiar - "At that time there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus......."  The Dawn Mass is also from Luke, 2: 15-20, which follows the shepherds to the crib.  The third Mass, during the day, uses the Gospel that is always said at the end of every Traditional Latin Mass.  Each Mass, not just on Christmas, begins with the Old Testament lament, "Send forth, O Lord, Thy light and Thy truth."  The Last Gospel of the Mass is John 1: 1-14 and says it all.  It is the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ, the foundation of our adoption as sons of God.

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, He gave them power to become the sons of God; to them that believe in His Name, who are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as it were of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

                                          Deo Gratias.                 Thanks be to God.

                      Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of good will.

12/24/11