December 25: Christmas Day: the Midnight Mass and Lauds — The Liturgical Year (Christmas I)

Midnight Mass

It is now time to offer the Great Sacrifice, and to call down our Emmanuel from heaven: He alone can fully pay the debt of gratitude, which mankind owes to the Eternal Father. He will intercede for us on the Altar, as he did in his Crib. We will approach him with love, and he will give himself to us.

But such is the greatness of today’s Mystery, that the Church is not satisfied with only once offering up the Holy Sacrifice. The long-expected and precious Gift, deserves an unusual welcome. God the Father has given his Son to us; and it is by the operation of the Holy Ghost that the grand Portent is produced:—let there be, then, to the ever Blessed Three, the homage of a triple Sacrifice!

Besides:—this Jesus, who is born tonight, is born thrice. He is born of the Blessed Virgin, in the stable of Bethlehem; he is born by grace, in the hearts of the Shepherds, who are the first fruits of the Christian Church; and he is born eternally from the Bosom of the Father, in the brightness of the Saints:—to this triple Birth, therefore, let there be the homage of a triple Sacrifice!

The first Mass honors the Birth according to the Flesh, which, like the other two, is an effusion of the Divine Light. The hour is come: the people that walked in darkness, have seen a great Light; Light is risen to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death.¹ Outside the holy place, where we are now assembled, there is dark Night:—material Night, caused by the absence of the sun; spiritual Night, by reason of the sins of men, who either sleep in the forgetfulness of God, or wake to the commission of crime. At Bethlehem, round the Stable, and in the City, all is deep darkness; and the inhabitants, who would not find room for the Divine Babe, are sleeping heavily:—will they waken when the Angels begin to sing?

Midnight comes. The Holy Virgin has been longing for this happy moment. Her heart is suddenly overwhelmed with a delight, which is new even to Her. She falls into an ecstasy of love. As her Child will, one day, in his almighty power, rise through the unmoved barrier of his Sepulcher; so now, as a sun-beam gleaming through purest crystal, he is born, and lies on the ground before her. With arms outstretched to embrace her, and smiling upon her—this is her first sight of her Son, who is Son also of the Eternal Father! She adores—takes him into her arms—presses him to her heart—swathes his infant limbs—and lays him down in the manger. Her faithful Joseph unites his adoration with hers; and so, too, do the Angels of heaven, for, the Royal Psalmist had sung this prophecy of their adoring him on his entrance into the world.² Heaven opens over this spot of earth, which men call a Stable; and from it there mount to the Throne of the Eternal Father, the first prayer, the first tear, the first sob, of this his Son, our Jesus, who thus begins to prepare the world’s salvation.

The eyes of the faithful are now riveted on the Sanctuary, where the same Jesus is to be their Holy Sacrifice. The procession of the sacred Ministers has entered the Holy of Holies, and the Priest comes with them to the foot of the Altar. The Choir is singing its opening-canticle, the Introit; where we have our God himself speaking to his Son, and saying: This Day, have I begotten thee. Let the Nations rage, if they will, and be impatient of the yoke of this Babe of Bethlehem; he shall subdue them, and reign over them, for he is the Son of God.

Introit

The Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ps. Why have the nations raged, and the people devised vain things? ℣. Glory, &c.

Dominus dixit ad me: Filius meus es tu; ego hodie genui te.

The Lord hath said, &c.

Ps. Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania? ℣. Gloria Patri. Dominus dixit.

The Angelic Hymn is preceded by the Kyrie eleison; but these nine supplications for mercy over, it bursts forth with those sublime words: Gloria in excelsis Deo; et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis! Let us unite, heart and voice, in this the chant of the Angels: Glory be to God! Peace be to men! These our heavenly Brethren first intoned it, and they are, at this moment, round our Altar, as they were round the Crib; they are singing our happiness. They are adoring that divine Justice, which gave not a Redeemer to their fallen fellow-angels, yet, to us gives the very Son of God to be our Redeemer. They are magnifying that deep humiliation of Him, who made both Angels and men, and who so lovingly favors the weaker of the two. They know that our gratitude needs help, and so they lend us their sweet voices to give thanks to Him, who, by this mystery of love and magnificence, is enabling us poor mortals to one day fill up the thrones left vacant by the rebel Spirits. Oh! yes; let us all, men and Angels, Church of earth and Church of heaven, let us sing: Glory be to God! and Peace to men! The more the Son of the Eternal Father has had to humble himself in order to enrich and exalt us, the more fervently must we cry out our warmest praise, and hymn this Mystery of the Incarnation: Tu solus Sanctus! Tu solus Dominus! Tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe!—Thou only, O Jesus! art Holy! Thou only art Lord! Thou only art Most High!

The Collect then follows, summing up all our prayers in one:

Let us pray.

Oremus.

O God, who hast enlightened this most sacred Night by the brightness of Him, who is the true Light: grant, we beseech thee, that we who have known the mysteries of this Light on earth, may likewise come to the enjoyment of it in heaven. Who liveth, &c.

Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere: da, quæsumus, ut cujus lucis mysteria in terra cognovimus, ejus quoque gaudiis in cœlo perfruamur. Qui tecum.

Lesson of the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to Titus.

Lectio Epistolæ beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum.

Ch. II.

Cap. II.

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.

Charissime, apparuit gratia Dei Salvatoris nostri omnibus hominibus, erudiens nos, ut, abnegantes impietatem et sæcularia desideria, sobrie, et juste, et pie vivamus in hoc sæculo: exspectantes beatam spem, et adventum gloriæ magni Dei et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi: qui dedit semetipsum pro nobis, ut nos redimeret ab omni iniquitate, et mundaret sibi populum acceptabilem, sectatorem bonorum operum. Hæc loquere et exhortare, in Christo Jesu Domino nostro.

This God our Savior hath at length appeared! and with such grace and mercy! He alone could deliver us from dead works, and restore us to life. At this very hour, he appeareth to all men, laid in his narrow Crib, and fastly wrapped, as a Babe, in swaddling-clothes. Yea, here have we the Blessed One, whose visit we had so long hoped for! Let us purify our hearts, that he may be pleased with us; for though he is the Infant Jesus, he is, also, as the Apostle has just told us, the Great God, and the Son of the Eternal Father, born from all eternity. Let us unite with the Angels and the Church in this hymn to our Great God, Jesus of Bethlehem.

Gradual

With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength; in the brightness of the Saints: from the womb, before the Day-star, I begot thee.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuæ, in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te.

℣. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies my footstool.

℣. Dixit Dominus Domino meo: sede a dextris meis, donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia.

℣. The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Alleluia.

Dominus dixit ad me: Filius meus es tu, ego hodie genui te. Alleluia.

Gospel

Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.

Ch. II.

Cap. II.

At that time, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph, also, went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapt him up in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country Shepherds watching and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them: Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: for, this day, is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace to men of good will.

In illo tempore: exiit edictum a Cæsare Augusto, ut describeretur universus orbis. Hæc descriptio prima facta est a præside Syriæ Cyrino: et ibant omnes, ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilæa de civitate Nazareth, in Judæam, in civitatem David, quæ vocatur Bethlehem; eo quod esset de domo et familia David, ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore prægnante. Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies ut pareret. Et peperit filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in præsepio; quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum. Et ecce Angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno. Et dixit illis Angelus: Nolite timere: ecce enim evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo: quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David. Et hoc vobis signum: Invenietis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in præsepio. Et subito facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiæ cœlestis, laudantium Deum, et dicentium: Gloria in altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.

O Divine Infant! we, too, must needs join our voices with those of the Angels, and sing with them: Glory be to God! and Peace to men! We cannot restrain our tears at hearing this history of thy Birth. We have followed thee in thy journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem; we have kept close to Mary and Joseph on the whole journey; we have kept sleepless watch during this holy Night, waiting thy coming. Praise be to thee, sweetest Jesus, for thy mercy! and love from all hearts, for thy tender love of us! Our eyes are riveted on that dear Crib, for our Salvation is there; and there we recognize thee as the Messias foretold in those sublime Prophecies, which thy Spouse the Church has been repeating to us, in her solemn prayers of this Night. Thou art the Mighty God—the Prince of Peace—the Spouse of our souls—our Peace—our Savior—our Bread of Life. And now, what shall we offer thee? A good Will? Ah! dear Lord! thou must form it within us; thou must increase it, if thou hast already given it; that thus, we may become thy Brethren by grace, as we already are by the human nature thou hast assumed. But, O Incarnate Word! this Mystery of thy becoming Man, works within us a still higher grace:—it makes us, as thy Apostle tells us, partakers of that divine nature,³ which is inseparable with thee in the midst of all thy humiliations. Thou hast made us less than the Angels, in the scale of creation; but, in thy Incarnation, thou hast made us Heirs of God, and Joint-Heirs with thine own divine Self!⁴ Never permit us, through our own weaknesses and sins, to degenerate from this wonderful gift, whereby thy Incarnation exalted us, and oh! dear Jesus, to what a height!

After the Gospel, the Church triumphantly chants the glorious Symbol of our Faith, which tells, one by one, the Mysteries of the Man-God. At the words: Et Incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et Homo factus est, profoundly adore the great God who assumed our human nature, and became like unto us, his poor creatures; let your adoration and love repay him, if it were possible, for this his incomprehensible abasement. In each of today’s Masses, when the Choir comes to these words in the Credo, the Priest rises from the sedilia, and remains kneeling, in humble adoration, at the foot of the Altar, whilst they are being sung. You must unite your adorations with those of the Church, which is represented by the Celebrant.

During the Offering of the bread and wine, the Church tells us, how the Birth of Jesus Christ filled heaven and earth with joy. In a few short moments, there will be on our Altar, where we now see mere bread and wine, the Body and Blood of this same Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Offertory

Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad, in the presence of the Lord, for that he is come.

Lætentur cœli et exsultet terra, ante faciem Domini, quoniam venit.

Secret

Receive, O Lord, the offerings we make to thee, on this present solemnity: that by thy grace, through the exchange of these sacred mysteries, we may be conformable to Him, in whom our nature is united to thine. Who liveth, &c.

Accepta tibi sit, Domine, quæsumus, hodiernæ festivitatis oblatio: ut, tua gratia largiente, per hæc sacrosancta commercia in illius inveniamur forma, in quo tecum est nostra substantia. Qui tecum vivit.

The Preface then gives expression to the thanksgiving of the people, and finishes with the triple Sanctus to the God of Sabaoth. At the Elevation, when, in the midst of the mysterious silence, your Savior, the Incarnate Word, descends upon the Altar, you must see, with the eye of your faith, the Crib, and Jesus stretching out his hands to his Eternal Father, and looking upon you with extreme tenderness, and Mary adoring him with a Mother’s love, and Joseph looking on and weeping with joy, and the holy Angels lost in amazement at the mystery. You must give your heart to the New-Born Babe, that he may fill it with what he wishes to see there; nay, beg of him to fill it with himself, and make himself its Master and its All.

After the Communion, the Church,—which has just been united to the Infant God by partaking of the sacred mysteries,—once more celebrates the Eternal Generation of that Divine Word, who was born from the Bosom of the Father before any creature existed, and who has appeared to the world, this Night, before the Day-Star has risen.

Communion

In the brightness of the Saints, from the womb, before the day-star, I begot thee.

In splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui te.

The Church terminates this her first Sacrifice, by praying for the grace of indissoluble union with the Savior, who is born to her.

Postcommunion

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that we, who celebrate with joy the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, by partaking several times of these sacred mysteries, may, by a worthy conduct of life, come to be united with him. Who liveth, &c.

Da nobis, quæsumus, Domine Deus noster, ut qui Nativitatem Domini nostri Jesu Christi mysteriis nos frequentare gaudeamus, dignis conversationibus ad ejus mereamur pervenire consortium. Qui tecum.

The sacred Night is passing quickly on; and will soon bring us to the Second Mass, which is to sanctify the hour of day-break, or the Aurora. Every day in the year, the Church passes the hour before Sun-rise in prayer, for the rising of the Sun is a beautiful figure of the mystery of Jesus’ coming to this earth, to give it light. This portion of the Divine Office is called Lauds, on account of its being wholly made up of praise and joy. On Christmas Day, however, she somewhat anticipates the usual hour, in order that she may begin, at the precise time of the Aurora, a more perfect and more divine Sacrifice of Praise—the Eucharistic Oblation, which satisfies all the obligations we owe to the Divine bounty.

The Office of Lauds is celebrated with the same solemnity as that of Vespers; and altogether, the two Offices are much alike. Both of them tell us of the Divine Sun of Justice; Lauds celebrate his glorious rising, whilst Vespers—which are said at sun-set, when the shades of evening are beginning to fall upon the earth—remind us, how we must long for that eternal Day which shall have no night, and whose Lamp is the Lamb.⁵ Lauds are the morning, Vespers the evening, incense. The mysteries of the liturgical day, begin with the first, and end with the second.

Lauds

℣. Incline unto my aid, O God.

℣. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.

℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.

℟. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Gloria Patri, et Filio: et Spiritui Sancto.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen. Alleluia.

The first Psalm of Lauds shows us our Lord in his infinite power and majesty. His admirable Birth has renewed our earth. He is born in time; but he was before all time. The voice of the deep sea betokens marvelous power; the power of our Emmanuel is more wonderful far. Let us lead lives worthy of the holiness of his House, which he has come to throw open to us.

Ant. Whom have ye seen, O Shepherds? Say, tell us, who is it has appeared on the earth?—We have seen the Child that is born, and choirs of Angels praising the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. Quem vidistis pastores? Dicite: annuntiate nobis, in terris quis apparuit? Natum vidimus, et choros Angelorum collaudantes Dominum, alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm 92

The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.

Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: * indutus est Dominus fortitudinem et præcinxit se.

For, this day, by his birth, he hath established the world, which shall not be moved.

Etenim firmavit orbem terræ: * qui non commovebitur.

Thy throne, O Divine Infant! is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.

Parata sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord! the floods have lifted up their voice.

Elevaverunt flumina, Domine: * elevaverunt flumina vocem suam.

The floods have lifted up their waves, with the noise of many waters.

Elevaverunt flumina fluctus suos: * a vocibus aquarum multarum.

Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high.

Mirabiles elationes maris: * mirabilis in altis Dominus.

Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy House, O Lord, which is thy Church, unto length of days.

Testimonia tua credibilia facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitudo, Domine, in longitudinem dierum.

Ant. Whom have ye seen, O Shepherds? Say, tell us, who is it has appeared on the earth?—We have seen the Child that is born, and choirs of Angels praising the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. Quem vidistis pastores? Dicite: annuntiate nobis, in terris quis apparuit? Natum vidimus, et choros Angelorum collaudantes Dominum. Alleluia, alleluia.

The second Psalm is an invitation to all nations, that they enter into Bethlehem, that House of our Lord which is now filled with his sweet presence. He is the sovereign Pastor, and we are the Sheep of his pasture. Though he be the Mighty God, yet is he most sweet and merciful; let us celebrate his coming with joy and gratitude.

Ant. The Mother has given birth to the King, whose name is eternal: she has both a Mother’s joy and a Virgin’s privilege: not one has ever been, or shall ever be, like her, alleluia.

Ant. Genuit puerpera regem, cui nomen æternum, et gaudia matris habens cum virginitatis honore, nec primam similem visa est, nec habere sequentem, alleluia.

Psalm 99

Sing joyfully to God, all the earth! serve ye the Lord with gladness.

Jubilate Deo omnis terra: * servite Domino in lætitia.

Come in before his presence, with exceeding great joy.

Introite in conspectu ejus: * in exsultatione.

Know ye, that this Infant, the Lord, is God: he made us, and not we ourselves.

Scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture; go ye into his gates, with praise: into his courts, with hymns, and give glory to him.

Populus ejus, et oves pascuæ ejus, introite portas ejus in confessione: * atria ejus in hymnis, confitemini illi.

Praise ye his name, for the Lord is sweet; his mercy endureth for ever: and his truth to generation and generation.

Laudate nomen ejus, quoniam suavis est Dominus; in æternum misericordia ejus: * et usque in generationem et generationem veritas ejus.

Ant. The Mother has given birth to the King, whose name is eternal; she has both a Mother’s joy and a Virgin’s privilege: not one has ever been, or shall ever be, like her, alleluia.

Ant. Genuit puerpera regem, cui nomen æternum, et gaudia matris habens cum virginitatis honore, nec primam similem visa est, nec habere sequentem, alleluia.

The two following Psalms, which the Church unites into one, are the prayer of the faithful soul to her God, at dawn of day. From her first waking, she thirsts after the great God, her Creator and Redeemer. Today we have this same God lying before us in his Crib; he comes that he may fill our souls, and nourish us, with his own substance:—how shall we do otherwise than rejoice in him? The orb of day will soon light up the east; but our Sun of Justice, the Lamb, is already shedding his bright soft rays upon us. May he mercifully pour out his light on all nations! May all the earth bless this divine Fruit, which the Virgin-Mother has yielded!

Ant. The Angel said unto the Shepherds: I bring you tidings of great joy; for, this day, is born unto you the Savior of the world, alleluia.

Ant. Angelus ad pastores ait: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator mundi, alleluia.

Psalm 62

O God, my God, to thee do I watch, at break of day.

Deus, Deus meus: * ad te de luce vigilo.

For thee my soul hath thirsted, for thee my flesh, oh! how many ways.

Sitivit in te anima mea: * quam multipliciter tibi caro mea.

In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so, in the sanctuary of Bethlehem have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.

In terra deserta, et invia, et inaquosa: * sic in sancto apparui tibi, ut viderem virtutem tuam, et gloriam tuam.

For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise.

Quoniam melior est misericordia tua super vitas: * labia mea laudabunt te.

Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name, I will lift up my hands.

Sic benedicam te in vita mea: * et in nomine tuo levabo manus meas.

Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness, O Bread of Life! and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.

Sicut adipe et pinguedine repleatur anima mea: * et labiis exsultationis laudabit os meum.

If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: because thou hast been my helper.

Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutinis meditabor in te: * quia fuisti adjutor meus.

And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings; my soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me.

Et in velamento alarum tuarum exsultabo, adhæsit anima mea post te: * me suscepit dextera tua.

But they have sought my soul in vain; they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.

Ipsi vero in vanum quæsierunt animam meam, introibunt in inferiora terræ: * tradentur in manus gladii, partes vulpium erunt.

But the just man thus delivered shall, as a King, rejoice in God; all they shall be praised that swear by Him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.

Rex vero lætabitur in Deo, laudabuntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstructum est os loquentium iniqua.

Psalm 66

May God have mercy on us, and bless us; may the divine Infant, from his Crib, cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis; * illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.

That we may know thy way upon earth, O Emmanuel! thy salvation in all nations.

Ut cognoscamus in terra viam tuam: * in omnibus gentibus Salutare tuum.

Let people confess to thee, O God! let all people give praise to thee.

Confiteantur tibi populi Deus: * confiteantur tibi populi omnes.

Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.

Lætentur et exsultent gentes: * quoniam judicas populos in æquitate, et gentes in terra dirigis.

Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee: for, today, the earth hath yielded her Fruit.

Confiteantur tibi populi Deus, confiteantur tibi populi omnes: * terra dedit fructum suum.

May God, our God, bless us, may God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

Benedicat nos Deus, Deus noster, benedicat nos Deus: * et metuant eum omnes fines terræ.

Ant. The Angel said unto the Shepherds: I bring you tidings of great joy; for, this day, is born unto you the Savior of the world, alleluia.

Ant. Angelus ad pastores ait: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator mundi, alleluia.

The Canticle, in which the Three Children, in the fiery Furnace of Babylon, bid all creatures of God bless his name, is sung by the Church in the Lauds of every Feast. It gives a voice to all creatures, and invites the whole universe to bless its divine Author. How just it is, that, on this day, heaven and earth should unite in giving glory to the God, who comes down among his own creatures, and repairs the injury done to them all by sin.

Ant. With the Angel was a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia.

Ant. Facta est cum Angelo multitudo cœlestis exercitus laudantium Deum, et dicentium: Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis, alleluia.

Canticle of the Three Children

(Dan. 3.)

All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino: * laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

O ye Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye heavens, bless the Lord.

Benedicite Angeli Domini Domino: * benedicite cœli Domino.

O all ye waters, that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Benedicite aquæ omnes, quæ super cœlos sunt, Domino: * benedicite omnes virtutes Domini Domino.

O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Benedicite sol et luna Domino: * benedicite stellæ cœli Domino.

O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.

Benedicite omnis imber et ros Domino: * benedicite omnes spiritus Dei Domino.

O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.

Benedicite ignis et æstus Domino: * benedicite frigus et æstus Domino.

O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.

Benedicite rores, et pruina Domino: * benedicite gelu et frigus Domino.

O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.

Benedicite glacies et nives Domino: * benedicite noctes et dies Domino.

O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Benedicite lux et tenebræ Domino: * benedicite fulgura et nubes Domino.

Oh! let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Benedicat terra Dominum: * laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord.

Benedicite montes et colles Domino: * benedicite universa germinantia in terra Domino.

O ye fountains, bless the Lord: O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.

Benedicite fontes Domino: * benedicite maria et flumina Domino.

O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord.

Benedicite cete, et omnia quæ moventur in aquis, Domino: * benedicite omnes volucres cœli Domino.

O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.

Benedicite omnes bestiæ, et pecora Domino: * benedicite filii hominum Domino.

Oh! let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Benedicat Israel Dominum: * laudet et superexaltet eum in sæcula.

O ye Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Benedicite Sacerdotes Domini Domino: * benedicite servi Domini Domino.

O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.

Benedicite spiritus et animæ justorum Domino: * benedicite Sancti et humiles corde Domino.

O Ananias, Azarias, Misaël, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Benedicite Anania, Azaria, Misaël Domino: * laudate et superexaltate eum in sæcula.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum sancto Spiritu: * laudemus, et superexaltemus eum in sæcula.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious, and exalted above all, for ever.

Benedictus es Domine, in firmamento cœli: * et laudabilis et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in sæcula.

Ant. With the Angel, was a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia.

Ant. Facta est cum Angelo multitudo cœlestis exercitus laudantium Deum et dicentium: Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis, alleluia.

The three last Psalms of Lauds, which the Church unites under the same Antiphon, are also the last of the Psaltery. They sing the praise of the Lord, and urge all creatures to bless his holy name. The first of the three has a great resemblance with the Canticle of the Three Children; the second invites the Saints to sing to Him, who has glorified them, and made them the instruments of his providence; the third calls on every thing that can breathe forth music, to come and honor our dearest Infant King with sweetest thrills of melody.

Ant. A Little Child is, this day, born unto us, and he shall be called God, the Mighty One, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. Parvulus filius hodie natus est nobis, et vocabitur Deus, Fortis, alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm 148

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places.

Laudate Dominum de cœlis: * laudate eum in excelsis.

Praise ye him, all his Angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Laudate eum omnes Angeli ejus: * laudate eum omnes virtutes ejus.

Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise ye him, all ye stars and light.

Laudate eum sol et luna: * laudate eum omnes stellæ et lumen.

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens, praise the name of the Lord.

Laudate eum cœli cœlorum: * et aquæ omnes quæ super cœlos sunt, laudent nomen Domini.

For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created.

Quia ipse dixit et facta sunt: * ipse mandavit, et creata sunt.

He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Statuit ea in æternum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præceptum posuit, et non præteribit.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all ye deeps.

Laudate Dominum de terra: * dracones et omnes abyssi.

Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfill his word.

Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritus procellarum: * quæ faciunt verbum ejus.

Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars.

Montes et omnes colles: * ligna fructifera, et omnes cedri.

Beasts and all cattle; serpents and feathered fowls.

Bestiæ et universa pecora: * serpentes et volucres pennatæ.

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes and all judges of the earth.

Reges terræ et omnes populi: * principes, et omnes judices terræ.

Young men and maidens; let the old with the younger praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is exalted.

Juvenes, et virgines, senes cum junioribus, laudent nomen Domini: * quia exaltatum est nomen ejus solius.

His praise is above heaven and earth: and he hath, this Day, exalted the horn of his people.

Confessio ejus super cœlum et terram: * et exaltavit cornu populi sui.

A hymn to all his Saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him.

Hymnus omnibus Sanctis ejus: * filiis Israel, populo appropinquanti sibi.

Psalm 149

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, let his praise be in the Church of the Saints.

Cantate Domino canticum novum: * laus ejus in Ecclesia Sanctorum.

Let the new Israel rejoice in him that made him, and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.

Lætetur Israel in eo, qui fecit eum: * et filii Sion exsultent in rege suo.

Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

Laudent nomen ejus in choro: * in tympano et psalterio psallant ei.

For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and the meek and humble, like the Babe of Bethlehem, he will exalt unto salvation.

Quia beneplacitum est Domino in populo suo: * et exaltabit mansuetos in salutem.

The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

Exsultabunt Sancti in gloria: * lætabuntur in cubilibus suis.

The high praises of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords in their hands.

Exaltationes Dei in gutture eorum: * et gladii ancipites in manibus eorum.

To execute vengeance upon the nations: chastisements among the people;

Ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus: * increpationes in populis.

To bind their kings with fetters: and their nobles with manacles of iron;

Ad alligandos reges eorum in compedibus: * et nobiles eorum in manicis ferreis.

To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all his Saints.

Ut faciant in eis judicium conscriptum: * gloria hæc omnibus Sanctis ejus.

Psalm 150

Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power.

Laudate Dominum in Sanctis ejus: * laudate eum in firmamento virtutis ejus.

Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.

Laudate eum in virtutibus ejus: * laudate eum secundum multitudinem magnitudinis ejus.

Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.

Laudate eum in sono tubæ: * laudate eum in psalterio et cithara.

Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.

Laudate eum in tympano et choro: * laudate eum in chordis et organo.

Praise him on high sounding cymbals, praise him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord.

Laudate eum in cymbalis benesonantibus, laudate eum in cymbalis jubilationis: * omnis spiritus laudet Dominum.

Ant. A Little Child is, this day, born unto us, and he shall be called God, the Mighty One, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. Parvulus filius hodie natus est nobis, et vocabitur Deus, Fortis, alleluia, alleluia.

The Capitulum is taken from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews; we shall have it repeated, and with several additional verses, in the Epistle of the Third Mass.

Capitulum

(Heb. 1.)

God, who at sundry times, and 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, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.

Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in Prophetis: novissime diebus istis locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit hæredem universorum, per quem fecit et sæcula.

℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Deo gratias.

Sedulius, a Christian Poet of the fourth century, is the author of the beautiful Hymn, which now follows:—

Hymn⁶

From where the sun rises, to the furthest west, let us all sing to Jesus our King, the Son of the Virgin Mary.

A solis ortus cardine
Ad usque terræ limitem,
Christum canamus Principem,
Natum Maria Virgine.

The blessed Creator of the universe assumed the Body of a servant: that he might thus by Flesh deliver flesh, and save from perdition the creatures of his hands.

Beatus auctor sæculi
Servile corpus induit:
Ut carne carnem liberans,
Ne perderet quos condidit.

The heavenly grace enters into the womb of the Virgin-Mother: the young Maiden carries within her a Secret, which she knows not.

Castæ Parentis viscera
Cœlestis intrat gratia:
Venter puellæ bajulat
Secreta, quæ non noverat.

This chastest living Dwelling becomes, in that instant, God’s own Temple: the purest of Virgins conceives the Son of God.

Domus pudici pectoris
Templum repente fit Dei;
Intacta nesciens virum,
Concepit alvo Filium.

She gives him birth: Him, whom Gabriel had foretold, and whom the Baptist, exulting in his mother’s womb, perceived when yet unborn.

Enititur puerpera
Quem Gabriel prædixerat,
Quem ventre matris gestiens,
Baptista clausum senserat.

He suffered himself to be laid on the straw: he disdains not the Crib: and He, who feeds the hungry birds, is fed himself on a few drops of milk!

Fœno jacere pertulit:
Præsepe non abhorruit:
Et lacte modico pastus est,
Per quem nec ales esurit.

The heavenly citizens keep glad choir, singing their angel-hymns to God: and the Shepherd, the Creator of the world, is looked at by shepherds.

Gaudet chorus cœlestium,
Et Angeli canunt Deo;
Palamque fit pastoribus
Pastor, creator omnium.

Glory be to thee, O Jesus, that wast born of the Virgin! and to the Father, and to the Spirit of Love, for everlasting ages.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna sæcula.

Amen.

℣. The Lord hath made known, alleluia.

℣. Notum fecit Dominus, alleluia.

℟. His salvation, alleluia.

℟. Salutare suum, alleluia.

The Canticle of Zachary is now sung: it is the Church’s daily welcome of the rising Sun. It celebrates the coming of Jesus to his creatures, the fulfillment of the promises made by God, and the apparition of the Divine Orient in the midst of our darkness.

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

Ant. Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle of Zachary

(St. Luke, 1.)

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because he hath, this day, visited and wrought the redemption of his people.

Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel: * quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suæ.

And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant.

Et erexit cornu salutis nobis: * in domo David pueri sui.

As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who are from the beginning.

Sicut locutus est per os Sanctorum: * quia a sæculo sunt Prophetarum ejus.

Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.

Salutem ex inimicis nostris: * et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos.

To perform mercy to our Fathers, and to remember his holy testament.

Ad faciendam misericordiam cum Patribus nostris: * et memorari testamenti sui sancti.

The oath which he swore to Abraham, our Father; that he would grant to us.

Jusjurandum quod juravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum: * daturum se nobis.

That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him, without fear.

Ut sine timore de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati: * serviamus illi.

In holiness and justice before him, all our days.

In sanctitate et justitia coram ipso; * omnibus diebus nostris.

And thou, child, the Precursor of our Emmanuel, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.

Et tu puer, Propheta Altissimi vocaberis: * præibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias ejus.

To give to his people the knowledge of the Salvation brought them by the Messias, unto the remission of their sins.

Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi ejus: * in remissionem peccatorum eorum.

Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient, from on high, hath visited us.

Per viscera misericordiæ Dei nostri: * in quibus visitavit nos, Oriens ex alto.

To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Illuminare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: * ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.