December 24

Today you will know that the Lord is coming, and in the morning you will see his glory. ~Invitatory Antiphon from the Liturgy of the Hours for December 24

Awake, mankind! For your sake God has become man. Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you. I tell you again: for your sake, God became man. You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken on himself the likeness of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had he not shared your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened to your aid. You would have perished, had he not come. Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming of our salvation and redemption. Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time. ~from a sermon by St. Augustine, Office of Readings for December 24

Dear Mary, Virgin of Advent, the day has come at last when you will bring forth your firstborn Son. How great our joy! Amen! Alleluia!