THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
Circumcision was a sacrament of the Old Law, and the first legal observance required by Almighty God of the descendants of Abraham. It was a sacrament of initiation in the service of God, and a promise and engagement to believe and act as He had revealed and directed. The law of circumcision continued in force until the death of Christ, and Our Saviour being born under the law, it became Him, Who came to teach mankind obedience to the law of God, to fulfil all justice, and to submit to it. Therefore He was circumcised that He might redeem them that were under the law, by freeing them from the servitude of it; and that those who were in the condition of servants before might be set at liberty, and receive the adoption of sons in Baptism, which, by Christ’s institution, succeeded to circumcision. On the day that the divine Infant was circumcised, He received the name of Jesus, which signifies Savior, which had been given Him by the angel before He was conceived. That name, so beautiful, so glorious, the divine Child does not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning; even at the moment of His circumcision He showed Himself a Savior by shedding for us that blood a single drop of which is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of the whole world.
Reflection
Let us profit by the circumstance of the new year, and of the wonderful renewal wrought in the world by the great mystery of this day, to renew in our hearts an increase of fervor and of generosity in the service of God. May this year be one of fervor and of progress! It will go by rapidly, like that which has just ended. If God permits us to see its end, how glad and happy we shall be to have passed it holily!
Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Octave Day of Christmas
Double / 2nd Class / White
Introibo ad altare Dei. Ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam. I will go in unto the altar of God. To God who giveth joy to my youth.
Psalms 42
Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me? Send forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
Psalmus 42
Judica me Deus et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me. Quia tu es Deus fortitudo mea quare me reppulisti quare tristis incedo dum adfligit me inimicus. Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum et in tabernacula tua. Et introibo ad altare Dei ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam confitebor tibi in cithara Deus Deus meus. Quare tristis es anima mea et quare conturbas me Spera in Deum quoniam adhuc confitebor illi salutare vultus mei et Deus meus.
INTROIT – Isaiah 9: 6, Psalm 97:1
Puer natus est nobis: et fílius datus est nobis, cujus impérium super húmerum ejus: et vocábitur nomen ejus magni consílii Angelus. Ps. Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: quia mirabília fecit. V. Glória Patri.
CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST
Unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His Name shall be called Angel of mighty counsel. Ps. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. V. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary didst secure for mankind the reward of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who with thee.
EPISTLE – Titus 2: 11-15
Dearly beloved: The grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak and exhort: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL – Psalm 97: 3, 4, 2
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: sing joyfully to God, all the earth. V. The Lord hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the nations.
ALLELUIA – Hebrews 1: 1-2
Alleluia, alleluia. V. God, who in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son. Alleluia.
GOSPEL – Luke 2: 21
At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
OFFERTORY – Psalm 88: 12,15
Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof Thou hast founded: justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne.
SECRET
Receive, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our offerings and prayers, cleansing us by these heavenly mysteries, and mercifully hearing us. Through our Lord.
CHRISTMAS PREFACE
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. Because by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the eyes of our mind: that while we acknowledge Him to be God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing:
THE SANCTUS
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.
MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
COMMUNION – Psalm 97:3
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
POSTCOMMUNION
May this communion, O Lord, cleanse us from all sin, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, make us partakers of the heavenly remedy. Through the same our Lord.
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