EMMANUEL - God is with us
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1,1)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1, 14)
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2,10-11)
The shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2,15)
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2, 16)
‘Truth has arisen from the earth, and justice look down from heaven’
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.
(Sermon by St. Augustine, Office of reading, 24 Dec)
‘Christian, remember your dignity’
Today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness… And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvellous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?
(Sermon by St. Leo the Great, Office of readings, Christmas Day)
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
born the King of angels.
God from true God, and
Light from Light eternal,
born of a virgin, to earth he comes!
Only-begotten Son of God the Father:
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest:
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
‘We the Carmelite Nuns would like to wish a very happy and blessed Christmas 2022 to you and yours; and may Christ bring peace into this world and among us. EMMANUEL!’
