Christmas Day 2008 is nearly upon us, and at Midnight Masses across the country, Catholics will soon sing "Joy to the world / the Lord is come!" In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, the refrain is a little different, and yet still the same: "Christ is born! Glorify Him!"
Our Advent wait is nearly over; Christ is to be born in Bethlehem. God's plan of salvation rests on this tiny Child, who contains the whole of the Godhead in His wondrous human Body. As we celebrate His Birth, we remember that we still await His Second Birth. In that sense, our Advent continues after Christmas, though it is an Advent filled with joy, as we strive every day to model our lives on Him, and on Our Lady, with the help of His grace.
Throughout the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord in the Byzantine Catholic Church, the people sing:
God is with us! God is with us!
Understand all ye nations
And submit yourselves to Him
For God is with us!
That is our Advent & Christmas hope.
~ Deborah Yost
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