January 1 — Christmas Day : the Hour before Matins

Christinas Night, and how still fewer would complain that they never seem to derive that benefit from it, which they are told is so great — if they would but take the pains to ask themselves, why it is, that the Church attaches such importance to her children's joining her in the celebration of this gay Winter Mid-Night ! — To assist the devotion of the Faithful, we offer them these simple instructions, for

THE HOUR BEFORE THE MIDNIGHT SERVICE.

We will begin by telling them, that in the early ages of the Church, every great Feast was prepared for by long Vigils ; during which the people deprived themselves of their usual rest, and spent the hours in the Church, fervently joining in the Psalms and Lessons, which made up the Office, which we now call Matins. The Night was divided into three parts, called Nocturns. At dawn of Day, they resumed their chants, in an Office, which was even more solemn than the Matins : it was one of Praise, and, from this its characteristic, was called by the name of Lauds. This Service, which occupied a very considerable portion of the night, is still kept up, though at a time less trying to nature ; Matins and Lauds are, every day, publicly recited in Cathedral and Monastic Churches, and privately by every one in Holy Orders. They are by far the longest portion of the Divine Office. The want of the old spirit of devoted appreciation of the Liturgy, has made the Laity indifferent to being present at the celebration of Matins, and this even in Countries where Protestantism has not rendered their presence almost an impossibility. Thus, there are very few places where the people assist at Matins, excepting four times in the year; namely, on the three last days of Holy Week, and on Christmas Night. It is only on the last named, that the Office is said at the same hour as anciently ; for, with regard to Tenebrce, they are recited on the afternoons respectively preceding each of the three Days.

The Office of Christmas Night has always been said or sung with extraordinary solemnity. Firstly, it was so just, that the moments immediately preceding the Hour; when the Holy Mother gave birth to her Jesus, should be spent in the most fervent prayers and watchings ! But, secondly, the Church is not satisfied to-night with saying her Matins : she does so every night, and the faithful may come and assist at them as often as they wish : — she follows them by the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that so she may the better solemnise the Divine Birth ; and she begins her Mass at Mid -night, for it was at that silent hour that the Virgin-Mother gave us the Blessed Fruit of her Womb. We cannot be surprised that the Faithful, in many parts of Christendom, used to spend the whole Night in the Church.

In Rome, for many centuries — at least, from the 7th to the 11th, — two Matins were sung. The first in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. They commenced immediately after sun -set. There was no Invitatory. As soon as they were ended, the Pope celebrated the first or midnight Mass. No sooner was it finished, than the people accompanied him to the Church of St. Anastasia, and there he sang the second Mass, or, as it was called, of the Aurora. Again the Pontiff and people formed a procession — this time it was to St. Peter's — and having entered the Basilica, the second Matins were begun. They had an Invitatory, and were followed by Lauds. The other Hours having been sung, the Pope said the third and last Mass, at the hour of Tierce, which is our 9 o'clock. We are indebted for these details to Amalarius, and to the ancient Liturgist of the 13th century, published under the name of Alcuin. We also find them clearly indicated by the text of the old Antiphonaries of the Roman Church, which were published by the Blessed Joseph-Maria Tommasi, and by Gallicioli.

How lively was the faith of those olden times ! To people, who lived unceasingly amidst the Mysteries of Religion, Prayer was a tie which knit them closely together, and made them pass hours in the Church without weariness. They understood the value of the Prayers of the Church ; and the Ceremonies of the Liturgy, (which complete the tribute of man's inward worship of his Creator,) were not, as now, unfortunately, they so often are, a dumb show, or, at best, an unmeaning poetry introduced for effect. What, in our days, are found only in individuals, were then in the mass of the people — faith, and a keen sense of the supernatural.

Thanks be to God ! this strong practical faith is not dead among us, and is each year spreading in the land. How often have not we ourselves been charmed at seeing the traditions of the old Catholic customs still kept up in some families, especially in those favoured parts of the country, where heresy has not been able to corrupt the simplicity of the people. We have seen, and it is one of the most pleasing recollections of our childhood, one of these families seated together, after the frugal evening collation, round a blazing fire-side, waiting for the hour to come, when the whole house was to go to the Midnight Mass. A plain, but savoury, supper, which was to be eaten on their return home, and so add to the joy of holy Christmas-Night, was prepared before-hand. A huge piece of wood, called the Yule-Log, was burning cheerfully on the hearth ; it would last till the Mass was over, and warm the old men and the little children, as they came in chilled by the sharp frost.

Meanwhile, till it was time for Mass, their conversation was upon the Mystery of this much-loved Night. They compassionated the Blessed Mother and the sweet Babe, exposed to the inclemency of wintry weather, and with no other shelter than that of a wretched stable. Then, too, there were the Christmas Carols, in the practice of which they had spent many a pleasant evening of Advent. The whole soul was evidently in these dear old melodies, and many a tear would fall as the Song went on to tell how the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, and declared to her that she was to be Mother of the Most High God — how Mary and Joseph were worn with fatigue, going from street to street in Bethlehem, trying to find a lodging:, and no one would take them in — how they were obliged to shelter in a stable, and how the Divine Child was born in it — how the loveliness of the Babe in his little crib was above all 'the beauty of the Angels — how the Shepherds went to see him, and took their humble gifts, and played their rude music, and adored him in the faith of their simple hearts. — And thus they spent the happy Eve, passing from conversation to song, and from one song to another, and all was on Mary or Jesus, Joseph or Bethlehem. Cares of life were forgotten, troubles were gone, melancholy was a sin — but, it was time to leave ; the Village clock had just gone eleven ; and of the happy group, there was a little one, who had been too young the other years, and this was his first Midnight-Mass ! There was no brighter face in the procession than his. Would he ever forget — that beautiful Night !

In many of our readers, these reminiscences will excite a feeling of regret, that the miseries of the world around us make such catholic customs as these, unrealities : at all events, they will show, how the holiest feelings of religion may blend with the best joys of family and home. The lesson is worth learning, though the examples that teach it are too catholic for these rough times. Let us, therefore, leave them, and turn again to objects, which are realities, made holy by To-Night's Mystery — they will assist us to enter still further into the spirit of the Church.

There are three places on this earth of ours, which we should visit to-night. For two of them, it can only be in spirit. The first is Bethlehem, and the Cave of the Nativity, which is Bethlehem's glory. Let us approach it with respectful awe, and contemplate the humble dwelling, which the Son of the Eternal God chose for his first home. It is a Stable in the hollow of a rock, just outside the city walls. It is about fortyfeet long, by twelve in width. The ox, and the ass, as spoken of by the Prophet, are there, standing near the Manger, mute witnesses of the Divine Mystery, to which man refused to lend his own dwelling.

Joseph and Mary enter into the Stable-Cave. It is night, and all nature is buried in silence; but these two Hearts are sending up their praise and adoration to God, who thus deigns to atone for man's pride. The Virgin-Mother prepares the Clothes, which are to swathe the limbs of the Divine Infant, and longs, though with a most tranquil patience, for the blissful moment, when she shall have the first sight of the Blessed Fruit of her womb, kiss him, caress him, and feed him — the Eternal God — at her Breast.

Our Jesus, on His part, now that he is about to leave the sanctuary of his Mother's womb, and make his visible entrance into this world of sin, adores his Heavenly Father, and, (according to the revelation of the Psalmist, which is commented by St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews,) thus speaks : Sacrifice and oblation thou willedst not ; but a Body thou hast fitted unto me. Holocausts for sin did not please thee. Then, said I, behold I come. In the head of the Book, it is written of me, that I should do thy will, 0 God I1

All this was happening in the Stable at Bethlehem,

1 Heb. x. 5, 6, 7. about this very hour of the Night. The Angels of God were singing their anthems of praise to this his incomprehensible mercy towards his rebel creatures. They looked down with admiration upon the Mother of their God,the Mystical Rose, whose hidden Beauty was soon to bloom and fill the world with its fragrance.

0 happy cave of Bethlehem ! scene of these stupendous Mysteries ! who is there that can forget it to-night ? Who is there that does not love it above the richest palaces of Kings ? — From the very commencement of Christianity, it was the object of men's deepest veneration. When, later on, God sent the great St. Helen to resuscitate in his Church the knowledge and love of the Holy Places of Palestine, one of the works of the holy Empress was to build a magnificent Basilica over the spot, where stands this trophy of God's love for his creatures.

Let us go in spirit to this venerable Basilica ; we shall find there groups of infidels and schismatics, but we shall also find the Religious, who have the care of it, preparing to sing the same Matins, and in the same Latin tongue, which we are to have. These Religious are the Children of St. Francis, heroic followers of the poverty of their Divine Master, the Infant of Bethlehem. Because they are poor and humble, therefore have they had, for upwards of four hundred years, the honour of being the sole guardians of these Holy Places, which the Crusaders grew tired of defending. Let us pray in union with them, to-night ; and go with them, and kiss that sacred spot of the Cave, where is written in letters of gold : Here was Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary. (Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est.)

In vain, however, should we seek at Bethlehem for the holy Crib, in which the Infant Jesus lay. The curse of God has struck that unhappy country, and deprived it of this precious relic, which now, for upwards of twelve hundred years, has been venerated in the centre of Catholicity, Rome, the favoured Spouse of Christ.

Rome, then, is the second place we must visit on this blessed Night. And in the Holy City itself, there is one special Sanctuary, which claims all our veneration and love. It is the Basilica of the Crib, the splendid Church of Saint-Mary- Major. Of all the Churches, which the people of Rome have erected in honour of the Mother of God, this is the grandest. It stands on the Esquiline, rich in its marble and gold, but richer still in its possessing, together with the Portrait of our Lady painted by St. Luke, the humble yet glorious Crib of Jesus, of which the inscrutable designs of God have deprived Bethlehem. An immense concourse of people is to-night assembled in the Basilica, awaitiug the happy moment, when this monument of the love and the humiliation of a God will be brought in, carried on the shoulders of the Priests, as an Ark of the New Covenant, whose welcome sight gives the sinner confidence, and makes the just man thrill with joy. Thus has God willed, that Rome, which was to be the new Jerusalem, should be also the new Bethlehem; and that the children of the Church should find, in this the unchangeable centre of their Faith, the varied and exhaustless nourishment of their Love.

But the Basilica of the Crib is not the only sanctuary in Rome which has an attraction for us to-night. An imposing ceremony, which embodies a profound mystery, is taking place, at this very hour, in the palace of the Vatican, near the Tomb of the Prince of the Apostles.

The Divine Infant, who is to be born amongst us, is the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, whose government is upon his shoulders, as we shall sing to-

1 Is. ix. 6. morrow, with the Church. We have already seen, how the God of Hosts has honoured this power of the Emmanuel, by leading powerful Nations to acknowledge Him, who lay in the Crib of Bethlehem, as the Lord to whom they owed their adoring fealty. The same recognition of that Babe as the Mighty God is made by the ceremony we allude to. The Sovereign Pontiff, the Yicar of our Emmanuel, blesses, in his name, a Sword and Helmet, which are to be sent to some Catholic warrior, who has deserved well of the Christian world. In a letter addressed to Queen Mary of England and to Philip, her husband, Cardinal Pole gives an explanation of this solemn rite. The sword is sent to some Prince, whom the Vicar of Christ wishes to honour in the name of Jesus, who is King : for, the Angel said to Mary : The Lord will give unto him the Throne of David, his father} It is from Him alone that comes the power of the sword ; for, God said to Cyrus : / have girded thee (with the sword ;3) and the Psalmist thus speaks to the Christ of God : Gird thy Sword wpon thy thigh, 0 thou most Mighty /4 And because the Sword should not be drawn, save in the cause of justice, it is for that reason that a Sword is blessed on this Night, in the midst of which rises, born unto us, the divine Sun of Justice. On the Helmet, which is both the ornament and protection of the head, there is worked, in j)earls, the Dove, which is the emblem of the Holy Ghost; and this, to teach him who wears it, that it is not from passion or ambition that he must use his sword, but solely under the guidance of the divine Spirit, and from a motive of spreading the Kingdom of Christ.

How beautiful is this union of energy and meekness under the one symbol and ceremony ! This power of blending and harmonising the varied beauty

1 St. Luke, i. 32. 2 Rom. xiii. 3, 4. 3 Is. xlv. 1, 5. 4 Ps. xliv. 4. of distinct classes of truth, is not to be found save in that Christian Rome, which is our Mother, and where God has established the centre of Light and Love. The ceremony, we have been describing, is still observed. What a grand list it would be, had we the names of all those glorious Christian Warriors, who were thus created Knights of the Church, at this solemn hour, when we celebrate the Birth of Him, who came to vanquish our enemy! — We are going to adore this Babe in his Crib ; let us think of our Mother's teaching, and pay homage to him as our Prince and King, and beseech him to humble the enemies of his Church, and vanquish those who are leagued against both our perfection and our salvation.

And now, to the third of the sanctuaries, wherein is to be effected, this Night, the mystery of the Birth of Jesus. This third Sanctuary is near us ; it is in us ; — it is our own heart. Our heart is the Bethlehem that Jesus desires to visit, and in which he would be born, there to live and grow unto a perfect man, as St. Paul expresses it. Why, after all, was he born in the stable of the city of David, but that he might make sure of our heart, which he loved with an everlasting love, and so ardently, that he came down from heaven to dwell in it? Mary's virginal womb held him but for nine months ; he wishes us to keep him for ever in our dwelling !

0 heart of man, thou living Bethlehem, hold thyself in readiness, and keep a glad feast ! Already, thou hast prepared thyself for this union with thy Jesus by the confession of thy misdeeds, by the contrition of thy sins, and by the satisfaction thou hast made for them. Now, therefore, be all attention — he is coming in the Mid-Night. Let him find everything ready, ready as were the Stable, the Crib, and

1 Eph. iv. 13. the Swaddling-clothes. True, thou hast nothing to offer him like what Mary and Joseph had — she, a Mother's caresses ; and he, the most solicitous and tender care ; — but thou hast an adoration and a love like those of the poor Shepherds, and these thou must offer. Like the Bethlehem yonder in the far east, thou art living in the midst of heresy, of infidelity, and of men who ignore the divine mystery of divine love : — secret then, but hearty, mast be thy prayers, like those which are ascending this night to heaven from the few faithful ones, who are assembled in the Holy Cave with the Sons of St. Francis ; for, in that unfortunate Palestine, which has been a slave to the most degrading errors for this last thousand years, there are still a few who know and love God. On this glad Mid-Night, let thy soul become like that splendid Basilica of Rome, which possesses the two treasures, the Holy Crib and the venerable Portrait of the Virgin-Mother. Let thy affections and thoughts be pure as the white marble of its pillars ; thy charity, bright as the gold which glitters on its ceiling ; thy deeds, shining as the countless tapers which light up its beauty, and turn this night into the glare of a summer noon. Thou must learn, too, 0 soldier of Christ ! to use a Christian's weapons; thou must fight thy way to the Crib of thy Jesus ; thou must fight for thy position there, and maintain it by the unbroken loyalty of thy love ; thou must fight for the happy consummation of thy victory, — union eternal with him. Treasure up these holy sentiments, and let them console and sanctify thee, during these moments which precede the coming of our Emmanuel into thee. O living Bethlehem ! there is a word which heaven gave thee for these moments ; take it up, and let it be thy ceaseless prayer ; — Come, Lord Jesus I come.

1 Apoc. xxii. 20.

It is time for us to depart, and go into the House of God. The Bells are not being rung for us, it is true — still, their melody wakens up Bethlehem in our hearts. How strange this joyous pealing at this midnight hour ! But, is not everything strange in this mysterious night of the Birth of God % He is going to show himself to us — but it is to be in a Crib, and as a little Child. When he came on Sinai, it was surrounded with thick clouds of smoke, and amidst thunder and lightning : now, there is nothing but humility, stillness, and loveliness beyond measure. The Moon, emblem of the brightness reflected from Jesus upon Mary, is shedding its soft light on our path. The stars are twinkling in the firmament, and make us think of the Star, which is so soon to rise and guide the Magi to our Saviour's Crib.

And, whilst thus thinking over all these strange mysteries, we have reached the porch of the Church. The Sanctuary sends its light down even to the threshold of the holy place. Beautiful sight, indeed! — What wonder, that King Clovis, as he entered the Church of Rheims, on his first Christmas Night, stood dazzled with the blaze of light, and, trembling with emotion, said to St. Remigius, who had just baptised him : " Father ! — is this the Kingdom thou didst promise me ?" — " No, my Son," replied the Bishop — " it is but the way that will lead thee to it."

MATINS.

After the Pater, Ave, and Credo, have been said secretly, the Church commences the Office by her usual prayer : ft. Domine, labia mea ft. O Lord ! thou wilt open aperies. my lips.

1^5. Et os meum annuntia- I£. And my mouth shall debit laudem tuam. clare thy praise. ft. Dens, in adjutorium ft. Incline unto mine aid, 0 meum intende. God.

I£. Domine, ad adjuvan- I£< O Lord, make haste to dum me festina. help me. ft. Gloria Patri et Filio, ft. Glory be to the Father, et Spiritui Sancto ; and to the Son, and to the

Holy Ghost ;

Sicut erat in principio, et 1^. As it was in the begin - nunc et semper, et in ssecu- ning, is now, and ever shall be, la sasculorum. Amen. Alle- world without end. Amen, luia. Alleluia.

Then comes, with its glad burden — Christ is born unto us — the Invitatory, whereby the Church invites her children, every morning, to come and adore the Lord. To-night, the invitation is made by the Angels, who call us to the Crib of our Redeemer : they speak to us in the words of the Church and the Royal Prophet.

INVITATOEY.

Christus natus est nobis,* Christ is born unto us, * venite, adoremus. come let us adore. psalm 94.

Venite, exsultemus Domi- Come, let us praise the Lord no, jubileinus Deo Salutari with joy, let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour; let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.

Christ is born unto us, * come, let us adore.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods ; for in his hand are all the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are his.

Come, let us adore.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands formed the dry land : come, let us adore and fall down, and weep before the Lord that made us ; for he is the Lord our God ; and we are the people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Christ is born unto us, * come, let us adore.

To-day, if ye shall hear his voice, from, the Crib, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation according to the day of temptation in the wilderness : where your fathers tempted me, me the Lord, the Father of the Emmanuel ; they proved me, and saw my works.

Come, let us adore.

Forty years was I nigh unto this generation, and I said : These always err in heart : and these men have not known my ways : so, I swore in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest.

Christ is born unto us, * come, let us adore. nostro • prseoccupemus faciem ejus in confessione, et in psalmis jubilemus ei.

Christus natus est nobis,

• venite, adoremus. Quoniam Deus magnus

Dominus, et Eex magnus super omnes deos : quoniam non repellet Dominus plebem suam, quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terrse, et altitudines montium ipse conspicit.

Venite, adoremus.

Quoniam ipsius est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et aridam fundaverunt manus ejus : Venite, adoremus, et procidamus ante Deum : ploremus coram Domino qui fecit nos ; quia ipse est Dominus Deus noster : nos autem populus ejus, et oves pascuas ejus.

Christus natus est nobis,

• venite, adoremus. Hodie sivocem ejus audie- ritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatione secundum diem tentationis in deserto : ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri, probaverunt, et viderunt opera mea.

Venite, adoremus.

Quadriginta annis proximus fui generationi huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde : ipsi vero non cognoverunt vias meas, quibus juravi in ira mea, si introibunt in requiem meam.

Christus natus est nobis,

• venite, adoremus.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Glory be to the Father, and

Spiritui Sancto. to the Son, and to the Holy

Ghost.

Sicnt erat in principio et As it was in the beginning, nunc et semper, et in ssecula is now, and ever shall be, world sseculorum. Amen. without end. Amen.

Venite, adoremus. Come, let us adore.

Christus natus est nobis, Christ is born unto us, *

• venite, adoremus. come, let us adore.

After the Invitatory, the Church intones the sweet Hymn on the Birth of Jesus, composed by St. Ambrose, and which was sung in our First Vespers. Let us again sing it to our Redeemer, and feed our spirit on its delicious unction.

HYMN.

Jesu, Redemptor om- 0 Jesus ! Redeemer of mannium. kind, &c.

See above, page 130.

Thus far, are the preludes to our solemn Night Office, which now commences. It is divided into three vigils, or Noctums, each of which is composed of three Psalms, three Lessons, and three Responsories. The Responsories are a sort of interlude after each Lesson : but the third Lesson of the Third Nocturn is followed by the Te Deum, which takes the place of a Responsory. The Interpreters of the Liturgy thus explain the Three Noctums of to-night's Matins. The first signifies the time, which preceded the Written Law, given by God to Moses. In the Middle-Ages, it was the custom to veil the Altar in black, during this Nocturn, to express the sentence of condemnation pronounced by God against our first Parents, and the long ages which would then have to pass before the Redeemer came. The second Nocturn signifies the time under the Written Law; and during this Nocturn, the Altar was covered with a white veil, to denote, that, under the Law, men received a greater degree of light, 'by the figures and prophecies of the Old Testament. And lastly, the third Nocturn signifies the time under the Law of Grace. During this Nocturn, the Altar was covered with a red veil, to symbolise the love of God for his Spouse the Church, whereby the Son of God and our souls are mystically united.

THE FIRST NOCTURN.

The first Psalm celebrates the Kingly dignity of the Babe that is to be born. All nations are to be given to him as his inheritance, and the day will come, when he will judge the Kings who plot his death in Bethlehem. He is the Son of the Eternal Father, begotten in the day of eternity, and now made manifest on this night, to the eyes of men.

Ant. The Lord hath said to Ant. Dominus dixit ad me : Thou art my Son, this me : Filius meus es tu, ego day have I begotten thee. hodie genui te.

PSALM 2.

Why have the Gentiles Quare fremuerunt gentes : raged, and the people devised * et populi meditati sunt vain things % inania 1

The Kings of the earth stood Adstiterunt reges terrae, up, and the Princes met to- et principes convenerunt in gether, against the Lord, and unum : * adversus Domi- against his Christ. num, et adversus Christum ejus.

Dirumpamus vincula eorum : * et projiciamus a bis jugum ipsorum.

They said : Let us break their bonds asunder ; and let nous cast away their yoke from us.

He that dwelleth in heaven Qui habitat in ccelis, ir- shall laugh at them : and the ridebit eos : * et Dominus

Lord shall deride them. subsannabit eos.

Then shall he speak to them Tunc loquetur ad eos in in his anger, and trouble them ira sua : * et in furore suo in his rage. conturbabit eos.

Ego autem constitutus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus : * praedicans praeceptum ejus.

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

Postula a me, et dabo tibi gentes haereditatem tuam :

• et possessionem tuam terminos terrae.

Reges eos in virga ferrea :

• et tamquam vas figuli confringes eos.

Et nunc, reges, intelligite : * erudimini qui judicatis terram.

Servite Domino in timore : * et exsultate ei cum tremore.

Apprehendite disciplinary nequando irascatur Dominus : * et pereatis de via justa.

Cum exarserit in brevi ira ejus : * beati omnes qui confidunt in eo.

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

But I, the Son of Mary, am appointed King by him over Sion, his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.

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

Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

And now, O ye Kings, understand : receive instruction, you that judge the earth.

Serve ye the Lord with fear ; and rejoice unto him with trembling.

Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way.

When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.

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

The second Psalm praises the loveliness of the heavens during the night, and the magnificent testimony which the countless stars render to the greatness of their Creator. It then passes on to speak of the Sun, whose brilliant rising is like the Bridegroom coming forth from the nuptial-chamber. The San is our Emmanuel ; his Tabernacle, the Womb of Mary. It is to-day that he begins his course ; starting from the deepest stage of humiliation, he will mount to the meridian of glory. Let us adore him in his humble commencement, and humble ourselves together with him. He is the Lawgiver, and the Laiv ; he is our joy and our light ; he is our helper, and our Redeemer : let us love and obey him.

Ant. The Lord is as a Ant. Tamquam sponsus Bridegroom coming out of his Dominus procedens de thabride-chamber. lamo suo. psalm 18.

The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night showeth knowledge.

There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth : and their words unto the ends of the world.

He hath set his tabernacle in the sun, the image of his Son ; and he as a Bridegroom coming out of his bride-chamber,

Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way : his going out is from the end of heaven,

And his circuit even to the end thereof : and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.

The law of the Lord, which Jesus is coming to declare to us, is unspotted, converting souls : the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones, little as the Divine Infant in his Crib.

The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts : the

Cceli enarrant gloriam

Dei : * et opera manuum ejus annuntiat firmamentum.

Dies diei eructat verbum : * et nox nocti indicat scientiam.

Non sunt loquelae, neque sermones : * quorum non audiantur voces eorum.

In omnem terram exivit sonus eorum : * et in fines orbis terras verba eorum.

In sole posuit tabernaculum suum : * et ipse tamquam sponsus procedens de thalamo suo.

Exsultavit ut gigas ad currendam viam : * a summo ccelo egressio ejus.

Et occursus ejus usque ad summum ejus : * nee est qui se abscondat a calore ejus.

Lex Domini immaculata, convertens animas : * testimonium Domini fidele, sapientiam prsestans parvulis.

Justitiae Domini rectae, lsetificantes corda : * prae- ceptum Domini lucidum, illuminans oculos.

Timor Domini sanctus, permanens in sseculum saeculi : * judicia Domini vera, justificata in semetipsa.

Desiderabilia super aurum et lapidem pretiosnm mnltum : * et dulciora super mel et favum.

Etenim servns tnns custodit ea : * in custodiendis illis retributio nmlta.

Delicta quis intelligit 1 ab occultis meis munda me :

• et ab alienis parce servo tuo.

Si mei non fuerint dominati, tunc immaculatus ero :

• et emundabor a delicto maximo.

Et erunt ut complaceant eloquia oris mei : * et meditatio cordis mei in conspectu tuo semper.

Domine adjutor meus : * et Redemptor meus.

Ant. Tamquam sponsus Dominus procedens de thalamo suo. commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever : the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

More to be desired than gold and many precious stones : and sweeter than honey and the honey- comb.

For thy servant keepeth them ; and in keeping them there is a great reward.

Who can understand sins 1 From my secret ones cleanse me, 0 Lord ; and from those of others spare thy servant.

If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot ; and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.

And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please : and the meditation of my heart, always in thy sight.

O Lord, that art bom for my sake, thou art my helper and my Redeemer.

Ant. The Lord is as a Bridegroom coming out of his bride- chamber.

The third Psalm shows us Christ advancing in the conquest of the world, as the mighty Conqueror. His beauty and meekness are, like his truth and his justice, perfect ; and the power of his love is irresistible. On his right, we have the Queen of this world, the august Mary; the Lord has been pleased with her beauty, and her fruitful Virginity has been the model, after which have been formed all those pure souls consecrated to God, who are the companions of the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. In this most sublime Psalm, let us sing our canticle of praise to the ineffable dignity of our Divine King, and to the sweetness of our incomparable Mother and Queen.

Ant. Grace is poured out upon thy lips ; therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.

Ant. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis ; propterea benedixit te Deus in seter- num. psalm 44.

My heart hath uttered a good word : I speak my works, my songs, to Jesus, the King.

My tongue is the pen of a scrivener, that writeth swiftly.

Thou, 0 Emmanuel, art beautiful above the sons of men ; grace is poured abroad in' thy lips : therefore, hath God blessed thee for ever.

Thou comest that thou may est conquer the world; gird thy sword upon thy thigh, 0 thou most Mighty !

With thy comeliness and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign,

Because of truth, and meekness, and justice : and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.

Thy arrows are sharp : under thee shall people fall, into the hearts of the enemies of the King, who sends thee.

Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever : the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.

Thou hast loved justice, and hatedst iniquity : therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Myrrh, and stacte, and cassia

Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum : * dico ego opera mea Regi.

Lingua mea calamus scribse : * velociter scribentis.

Speciosus forma prse filiis hominum, diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis : * propterea benedixit te Deus in seternum.

Accingere gladio tuo super femur tuum : * potentissime.

Specie tua et pulchritudine tua : * intende, prospere procede, et regna.

Propter veritatem, et mansuetudinem, et justitiam : * et deducet te mirabiliter dextera tua.

Sagittse tuse acutae, populi sub te cadent : * in corda inimicorum regis.

Sedes tua, Deus, in sseculum sasculi : * virga directionis, virga regni tui.

Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem : * propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo laetitise prae consortibus tuis.

Myrrha, et gutta, et casia

CHEISTMAS. a vestimentis tuis, a domibus eburneis : * ex quibus delectaverunt te filise regum in honore tuo.

Adstitit Regina a dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato : * circumdata varietate.

Audi filia, et vide, et inclina aurem tuam : * et obliviscere populum tuum, et domum patris tui.

Et concupiscet Rex decorem tuum : ** quoniam ipse est Dominus Deus tuus, et adorabunt eum.

Et filise Tyri in muneribus : * vultuni tuum deprecabuntur omnes divites plebis.

Omnis gloria ejus filiae regis ab intus : * in fimbriis aureis circumamicta varietatibus.

Adducentur Regi virgines post earn : * proximse ejus afferentur tibi.

Afferentur in laetitia et exsultatione : * adducentur in templum Regis.

Pro patribus tuis nati sunt tibi filii : * constitues eos principes super omnem terrain.

Memores erunt nominis tui : * in omni generatione, et generationem. perfume thy garments, from the ivory bouses ; out of which the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.

The Queen, thy Mother, who shares in thy triumph, stood on thy right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety.

Thy Holy Spirit spoke to her, and said : " Hearken, O " Daughter, and see, and in- " cline thine ear : and forget " thy people, and thy father's " house.

" And the King shall greatly " desire thy beauty : for he is " the Lord thy God, and him " they shall adore.

" And the daughters of Tyre " with gifts, yea, all the rich " among the people, shall en- " treat thy countenance."

All the glory of the King's Daughter is within, in golden borders, clothed round about with varieties.

After her shall virgins be brought to the King : her neighbours, they that have spiritually conceived Christ, shall be brought to thee, 0 King !

They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing : they shall be brought into the temple of the King.

Instead of thy fathers of the Jewish people, of whose race thou didst deign to be born, but who have not known thee, 0 Emmanuel ! sons are born to thee of a new race: thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.

They shall remember thy name throughout all generations.

Therefore shall people praise Propterea populi confite- thee for ever, yea for ever and buntur tibi in seternum, * ever. et in saeculum sseculi.

Ant. Grace is poured out Ant. Diffusa est gra- upon thy lips ; therefore hath tia in labiis tuis, propterea

God blessed thee for ever. benedixit te Deus in aeter- num. p. As a Bridegroom, $". Tamquam sponsus.

1$. The Lord is coming from I£. Dominus procedens de his bride-chamber. thalamo suo.

The Priest begins the two first words of the Lord's Prayer :

Our Father. Pater noster.

The rest is said in silence, as far as the last two petitions, when the Priest says aloud : ft. And lead us not into ft. Et ne nos inducas in temptation. tentationem.

The Choir answers : ]$. But deliver us from evil. 1$. Sed libera nos a malo.

Then the Priest :

Graciously hear, O Lord Exaudi, Domine Jesu

Jesus Christ, the prayers of Christe, preces servorum thy servants, and have mercy tuorum, et miserere nobis, upon us : who, with the Father qui cum Patre et Spiritu and the Holy Ghost, livest Sancto vivis et regnas in and reignest for ever and ever, ssecula sseculorum.

The Choir answers : Amen.

Then one of the Choir turns towards the Priest, and bowing down, says:

Pray, Father, give thy bless- Jube, Domne, benedicere. ing.

Then the Priest :

May the Eternal Father Benedictione perpetua be- bless us with an everlasting nedicat nos Pater aeternus. blessing.

^. Amen. I£. Amen.

The Lessons of the First Nocturn are taken from the Prophet Isaias, whom the Church has followed through the whole of Advent. The Responsories, which follow each Lesson, assist the Faithful in those sentiments of joy, which should fill their hearts on hearing the sacred prophecies read to them, and that, too, at the very hour when they are to be accomplished.

1st lesson. Isaias, Ch. ix.

Primo tempore alleviata est terra Zabulon, et terra Nephtali : et novissimo aggravata est via maris trans Jordanem Galilaese Gentium. Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem magnam : habitantibus in regione umbrae mortis, lux orta est eis. Multiplicasti gentem, et non magnificasti laetitiam. Lsetabuntur coram te, sicut qui laetantur in messe, sicut exsultant victores capta prseda, quando dividunt spolia. Jugum enim oneris ejus, et virgam humeri ejus, et sceptrum exactoris ejus superasti, sicut in die Madian. Quia omnis violenta praadatio cum tumultu, et vestimentum mistum sanguine, erit in combustionem, et cibus ignis. Parvulus enim natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis : et factus est princi-

At the first time, the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nepktali, was lightly touched by the Lord : and at the last, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan of the Gentiles was heavily loaded. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light : to them, that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, ivhom thou hast succoured, shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest ; as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils. For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor, thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian. For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire. For a Child is born unto us, and a Son is given unto us ; and the government is upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of peace.

1$. To-day, the King of heaven deigned to be born to us of a Virgin, that he might restore lost man to the heavenly kingdom. * The host of Angels rejoices : for that eternal salvation hath appeared to the human race.

$". Glory be to God in the highest ; and on earth, peace to men of good will. * The host of Angels, &c. Glory be to the Father.

Then is repeated the T$. To-day, the King, as far as Glory be to God.

Blessing. May the Only Begotten Son of God vouchsafe to bless and help us.

I£. Amen. patus super humerum ejus : et vocabitur nomen ejus, Admirabilis, Consiliarius, Deus, Fortis, Pater futuri sseculi, Princeps pacis.^

I£. Hodie nobis ccelorum Rex de Virgin e nasci dignatus est, ut hominem perditum, ad ccelestia regna revocaret. * Gaudet exercitus Angelorum : quia salus seterna humano generi apparuit.

$". Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonas voluntatis. * Gaudet exercitus. Gloria Patri.

^. Hodie nobis ccelorum. $". Gloria in excelsis.

Benedictio. Unigenitus Dei Filius nos benedicere et adjuvare dignatur.

]^. Amen.

2nd lesson. Isaias, Ch. xl.

Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God. Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her, for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven : she hath received of the hand of the Lord double blessings for all her sins. The voice of one crying in the desert : ei Pre- " pare ye the way of the Lord, " make straight in the wilder- " ness the paths of our God.

Consolamini, consolamini popule meus, dicit Deus vester. Loquimini ad cor Jerusalem, et advocate earn, quoniam completa est malitia ejus, dimissa est iniquitas illius : suscepit de manu Domini duplicia pro omnibus peccatis suis. Vox clamantis in deserto : Parate viam Dei, rectas facite in solitudine semitas Dei nostri. Omnis vallis exaltabi- tur et omnis mons et collis immiliabitur, et erunt prava in directa, et aspera in vias planas. Et revelabitur gloria Domini : et videbit omnis caro pariter quod os Domini locutum est. Vox dicentis : Clama. Et dixi : Quid clamabo 1 Omnis caro fcenum, et omnis gloria ejus quasi flos agri. Exsiccatum est fcenum, et cecidit flos ; quia spiritus Domini suffiavit in eo. Vere fcenum est populus : exsiccatum est fcenum, et cecidit flos : Verbum autem Domini nostri manet in asternum.

I£. Hodie nobis de ccelo pax vera descendit :* Hodie per totum mundum melliflui f acti sunt cceli. ft. Hodie illuxit nobis dies redemptionis novse, reparations antiquae, felicitatis seternae. * Hodie per totum.

Benedictio. Spiritus sancti gratia illuminet sensus et corda nostra. ^. Amen.

3rd lesson,

Consurge, consurge, induere fortitudine tua, Sion; induere vestimentis gloriae tuae, Jerusalem, civitas Sancti : quia non adjiciet ultra ut pertranseat per te incircumcisus et immundus. Excutere de pulvere, consurge, sede, Jerusalem: solve vincula colli tui, captiva

" Every valley shall be exalted, " and every mountain and hill " shall be made low, and the " crooked shall become straight " and the rough ways plain." And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken. The voice of one, saying : Cry. And I said : What shall I cry 1 All flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the field. The grass is withered, and the flower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass : the grass is withered, and the flower is fallen : but the Word of our Lord endureth for ever.

1^. To-day, true peace has come down to us from heaven: * To-day, throughout the whole world, the heavens have dropped honey.

"ft. To-day, there has shone upon us the day of the new redemption, of the ancient reparation, of the eternal happiness. * To-day, throughout.

Blessing. May the grace of the Holy Ghost enlighten our senses and our hearts. Amen.

Isaias, lii.

Arise, arise, put on thy strength, 0 Sion ; put on the garments of thy glory, O Jerusalem, the city of the Holy One; for henceforth, the uncircumcised and unclean shall no morepass through thee. Shake thyself from the dust, arise, sit up, O Jerusalem : loose the bonds from off thy neck,

O captive daughter of Sion. For thus saith the Lord : You were sold gratis, and you shall be redeemed without money. For thus saith the Lord God: My people went down into Egypt, at the beginning, to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without any cause at all. And now, what have I here, saith the Lord : for my people is taken away gratis 1 They that rule over them, treat them unjustly, saith the Lord, and my name is continually blasphemed all the day long. Therefore my people shall know my name in that day : for, I myself that spoke, behold I am here.

1^. 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.

$". Say, what have ye seen 1 and tell us of the birth of Christ. * We have seen. Glory. * We have seen. filia Sion. Quia hsec dicit Dominus : Gratis venumdati estis, et sine argento redimemini. Quia hsec dicit Dominus Deus : In iEgyptum descendit populus meus in principio, ut colonus esset ibi : et Assur absque ulla causa calumniatus est eum. Et nunc quid mihi est hie, dicit Dominus 1 quoniam ablatus est populus meus gratis : dominatores ejus inique agunt, dicit Dominus : et tota die nomen meum blasphematur. Propter hoc sciet populus meus nomen meum in die ilia : quia ego ipse qui loquebar, ecce adsum.

I£. Quern vidistis pastores*? dicite, annuntiate nobis, in terris quis apparuit % * Natum vidimus, et choros Angelorum collaudantes Dominum.

_ $". Dicite, quidnam vidistis *? et annuntiate Christi nativitatem. * Natum vidimus. Gloria. * Natum vidimus.

THE SECOND NOCTURN.

The fourth Psalm is a hymn in praise of the Christian Church, which begins to-day, and receives, in the stable of Bethlehem, the first believers — the Shepherds. This new Sion, which is to contain the City of our God, is founded on the sides of the North, to show that it shall be open to the Gentiles. In vain will the Princes of the earth seek, in their conceited calculations, to destroy the Church : God, who has founded her, will make her triumph. Empires shall pass away, and their persecutions : the

Church will survive them all, knowing neither wrinkle nor decay.

Ant. Suscepimus, Dens, misericordiam. tuam in medio templi tui.

Aistt. We have received thy mercy, 0 God, in the midst of thy temple. psalm 47.

Magnns Dominus, et laudabilis nimis : * in civitate Dei nostri, in monte sancto ejus.

Fnndatur exsultatione universse terras mons Sion : * latera aqnilonis, civitas regis magni.

Dens in domibus ejus cognoscetur : * cum suscipiet earn.

Quoniam ecce reges terras congregati sunt : * convenerunt in unum.

Ipsi videntes, sic admirati sunt, conturbati sunt, commoti sunt : % tremor apprehendit eos.

Ibi dolores ut parturientis : * in spiritu vehementi conteres naves Tharsis.

Sicut audivimus, sic vidimus in civitate Domini virtutum, in civitate Dei nostri : * Deus fundavit earn in seternum.

Suscepimus Deus, misericordiam tuam : * in medio templi tui.

Secundum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terrse : * justitia plena est dextera tua.

Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised, in the City of our God, in his holy mountain.

On this day, with the joy of the whole earth is Mount Sion founded, on the sides of the North, the City of the great King.

In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves : they gathered together.

They saw, so they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved : trembling took hold of them.

There, were pains as of a woman in labour. With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.

As we have heard, so have we seen, in the City of the Lord of hosts, in the City of our God : God hath founded it for ever.

We have received thy mercy, 0 God, which appeared to us in Bethlehem ; we have received it in the midst of thy temple.

According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth : thy right hand is full of justice.

Let Mount Sion rejoice, and Lsetetur mons Sion, et the daughters of Juda be exsultent filise Judas : * glad: because of thy judg- propter judiciatua, Domine. ments, O Lord !

Surround Sion, and encom- Circumdate Sion, et compass her : tell ye in her towers, plectimini earn : * narrate in turribus ejus.

Set your hearts on her Ponite corda vestra in vir- strength ; and distribute her tute ejus : * et distribuite houses, that ye may relate it in domos ejus, ut enarretis in another generation : progenie altera :

For this is our God, our God Quoniam hie est Deus, unto eternity, and for ever and Deus noster in asternum, et ever : he, our Pastor, shall in sseculum saeculi : * ipse rule us for evermore. reget nos in ssecula.

Ant. We have received thy Ant. Suscepimus, Deus, mercy, 0 God, in the midst of misericordiam tuam in me- thy temple. dio templi tui.

The fifth Psalm prophesies the peaceful reign of the Son of David, who comes to save the poor, and humble the oppressor. His coming is in sweetness and silence, like the dew of night. It is this very night that he comes to us from Mary's virginal womb. He is the rain announced by the Prophets, which is to fall upon the parched earth. His kingdom shall be glorious and eternal. In a few days hence, the Kings shall prostrate themselves at his feet, offering him the gold of Arabia and the incense of Saba. He, on his part, will give to his people, for their nourishment, the Bread of his own Body ; and thus his Church will be, for ever, a Bethlehem, that is, a House of Bread.

Ant. Ant. Orietur in diebus Domini abundantia pacis, et dominabitur.

There shall spring up an abundance of peace, in the days of the Lord ; and he shall rule. psalm 71.

Deus, judicium tuum Regi da: *et justitiam tufilio Regis.

Give to the King thy judgment, O God! and to the King's Son, who is born to-day, am thy justice,

M

Judicare populum tuum in justitia : * et pauperes tuos in judicio.

Suscipiant montes pacem populo : * et colles justitiam.

Judicabit pauperes popnli : et salvos faciet Alios pauperum : * et humiliabit calumniatorem.

Et permanebit cum sole, et ante lunaro. : * in generatione et generationem.

Descendet sicut pluvia in vellus : * et sicut stillicidia stillantia super terram.

Orietur in diebus ejus justitia, et abundantia pacis : * donee auf eratur luna.

Et dominabitur a mari usque ad rnare : * et a flumine usque ad terminos orbis terrarum.

Coram illo procident iEthiopes : * et inimici ejus terram lingent.

Reges Tharsis, et insulae munera offerent : * Reges Arabum et Saba dona adducent. •

Et adorabunt eum omnes reges terrse : * omnes gentes servient ei.

Quia liberabit pauperem a potente : * et pauperem, cui non erat adjutor.

Parcet pauperi et inopi : * et animas pauperum salvas faciet.

To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.

Let the mountains receive peace for the people ; and the hills justice.

He, the Messias, shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor ; and he shall humble the oppressor.

And his kingdom on earth shall continue with the sun, and before the moon ; throughout all generations.

He shall come down mysteriously in the midnight like rain upon the fleece, and as showers falling gently upon the earth.

In his days, shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.

And he shall rule from sea to sea ; and from the river Jordan, unto the ends of the earth.

Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down ; and his enemies shall lick the ground.

The Kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents ; the Kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts.

And all kings of the earth shall adore him ; all nations shall serve him.

For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty, and the needy that had no helper.

He shall spare the poor and needy ; and he shall be called Jesus, because he shall save the souls of the poor, his creatures.

CHKISTMAS DAY : MATINS.

He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity : and their name shall be honourable in his sight.

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore : they shall bless him all the day.

He is the bread of life ; therefore, under his reign there shall be firmament on the earth on the tops of the mountains ; above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted : and they of the City, his Church, shall flourish like the grass of the earth.

Let his name be blessed for evermore : his name continueth before the sun.

And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed : all nations shall magnify him.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.

And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever : and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

Ant. There shall spring up an abundance of peace, in the days of the Lord ; and he shall rule.

Ex usuris et iniquitate redimet animas eorum : * et honorabile nomen eorum coram illo.

Et vivet, et dabitur ei de auro Arabise, et adorabunt de ipso semper : * tota die benedicent ei.

Et erit firmamentum in terra in suminis montium, superextolletur super Libanum fructus ejus : * et florebunt de civitate sicut foenum terrse.

Sit nomen ejus benedictum in ssecula : * ante solem permanet nomen ejus.

Et benedicentur in ipso omnes tribus terrse : * omnes gentes magnificabunt eum.

BenedictusDominus Deus Israel : * qui f acit mirabilia solus.

Etbenedictum nomen majestatis ejus in seternum:* et replebitur maj estate ejus omnis terra : fiat, fiat.

Ant. Orietur in diebus Domini abundantia pacis, et dominabitur.

The sixth Psalm is a hymn of gratitude for the blessing brought us by the Divine Infant. The anger of the Almighty Lord is appeased at the sight of a Crib containing the Son of God and the Son of Mary ! Let us listen with delight to the words of the New-Born Babe. Justice and Peace have kissed: Incarnate Truth now dwells on our earth, and the Justice of the Eternal Father looks down from heaven upon our Emmanuel.

Ant. Veritas de terra orta est ; et justitia de coelo prospexit.

Ant. Truth is sprung out of the earth ■ and justice hath looked down from heaven.

PSALM 84.

Benedixisti, Domine, terrain tuam : * avertisti captivitatem Jacob.

Remisisti iniquitatem plebis tuse : * operuisti omnia peccata eorum.

Mitigasti omnem iram tuam : * avertisti ab ira indignationis tuse.

Converte nos Deus salutaris noster ; * et averte iram tuam a nobis.

Numquid in seternum irasceris nobis : * aut extendes iram tuam a generatione in generationem 1

Deus tu conversus vivificabis nos : * et plebs tua lsetabitur in te.

Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam : * et salutare tuum da nobis.

Audiam quid loquatur in me Dominus Deus, * quoniam loquetur pacem in plebem suam.

Et super Sanctos suos : * et in eos qui convertuntur ad cor.

Verumtamen prope timentes eum salutare ipsius : * ut inhabitet gloria in terra nostra.

Lord, thou hast blessed thy land : thou hast, this night, turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people : thou hast covered all their sins.

Thou hast mitigated all thy anger : thou hast turned away from the wrath of thy indignation.

Convert us, O God, our Saviour ! and turn off thy anger from us.

Heavenly Father ! wilt thou be angry with us for ever 1 or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation to generation 1

Thou wilt turn, 0 God, and bring us to life ; and thy people shall rejoice in thee.

Show us, 0 Lord, Him who is thy mercy : and grant us thy Salvation.

I will hear, near my Saviour's Crib, what the Lord God will speak in me, for he will speak peace unto his people :

And unto his Saints : and unto them that are converted to the heart.

Surely, his Salvation is near to them that fear him : that glory may dwell in our land.

CHRISTMAS DAT : MATINS.

This day, in Bethlehem, Mercy and Truth have met each other : Justice and Peace have kissed.

Truth is sprung out of the earth : and Justice hath looked down from heaven.

For, the Lord will give goodness : and our earth shall yield her fruit.

Justice shall walk before him, the Man-God : and shall set his steps in the way.

Ant. Truth is sprung out of the earth, and Justice hath looked down from heaven.

~ff. Thou art beautiful, 0 Jesus, above the sons of men.

^. Grace is poured forth on thy lips.

Our Father.

Misericord:' a et Veritas obviaverunt sibi : * justitia et pax osculatse sunt.

Veritas de terra orta est :* et justitia de ccelo prospexit.

Etenim Dominus dabit benignitatem : * et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.

Justitia ante eum ambulabit : * et ponet in via gressus suos.

Ant. Veritas de terra orta est, et Justitia de ccelo prospexit. ft. Speciosus forma prse filiis hominum.

I£. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

Pater noster.

After the Pater Noster has been recited, as in the First Nocturn, the Priest says :

May his goodness and mercy help us, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. 1$. Amen.

Ipsius pietas et misericordia nos adjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat in saecula sseculo- 1$. Amen. rum.

The Book of the Sermons of the Holy Fathers is now opened, and a passage is read from one of those magnificent discourses of St. Leo the Great, which enraptured the people of Rome in the fifth century.

Benedictio. Deus Pater omnipotens sit nobis propi-

Blessing. May God the Father Almighty be propitious and merciful unto us. 1$. Amen. tius et clemens. 1$. Amen.

4th lesson.

Sermon of Saint Leo, Pope.

On this day, dearly Beloved, is born our Saviour : let us be

Sermo Sancti Leonis Papas.

Salvator noster, dilectissimi, hodie natus est : gau- deamus. ISTeque enim fas est locum esse tristitise, ubi natalis est vitse : quae consumpto mortalitatis timore, nobis ingerit de promissa seternitate lsetitiam. Nemo ab hujus alacritatis participatione secernitur. Una cunctis laetitiae communis est ratio : quia Dominus noster peccati mortisque destructor, sicut nullum a reatu liberum reperit, ita liberandis omnibus venit. Exsultet sanctus, quia propinquat ad palmam : gaudeat peccator, quia invitatur ad veniam : animetur Gentifis, quia vocatur ad vitam. Dei namque Filius secundum plenitudinem temp oris quam divini consilii inscrutabilis altitudo deposuit, reconciliandam auctori suo naturam generis assumpsit humani, ut inventor mortis diabolus, per ipsam quam vicerat, vinceretur.

I£. 0 magnum mysterium, et admirable sacramentum ! ut animalia vide rent Dominiim natum jacentem in prsesepio : *Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. ft. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. * Beata Virgo. glad : for, surely, it is a sin to be sad on the Birth-day of that Life, which, ridding us of the fear of death, gladdened us with the promise of immortality. From a share in this gladness, not one of us is excluded. To all, there is the one same cause of joy : for, our Lord, the destroyer of sin and death, came to deliver all, seeing that all were slaves to guilt. Let the Saint exult, because he is now brought near to his crown ; let the Sinner rejoice, because he is invited to his pardon ; let the Gentile be of good heart, because he is called to life. For, when there had come the fulness of time, fixed by the inscrutable depths of the divine counsel, the Son of God assumed to himself the nature of man, in order to restore it to the favour of its Maker ; that thus, the Devil, the author of Death, might be conquered by that very nature, whereby himself had conquered.

I^s. O great Mystery, and wonderful secret ! brute beasts to see their new-born Lord laid in a manger ! * Blessed is the Virgin, that deserved to carry in her womb, Christ our Lord!

ft. Hail Mary ! full of grace, the Lord is with thee. * Blessed is the Virgin.

At Rome, if there be in the Holy City the Knight, who has received the Helmet and Sword, blessed, as we have described, by the Sovereign Pontiff — the fifth Lesson is given to him to sing, because it speaks of the great Battle, between Christ and Satan, in the glorious mystery of the Incarnation. Whilst the Choir is singing the Responsory 0 magnum mysterium, the Knight is taken, by the Master of Ceremonies, to the Pope. Standing before the Holy Father, he draws his Sword, thrice sets its point on the ground, thrice brandishes it in the air, and then wipes the blade upon his left arm. He is then taken to the Ambo, or reading-desk, takes off his Helmet, and, having vested the Cope over his armour, he sings the Lesson. These ceremonies of our holy Mother, the Church of Rome, were drawn up in days, when might was not right, and brute force was made subservient to moral power and principle. The Christian Warrior, cased in his steel armour, was resolved, as indeed he was bound, never to draw his Sword save in the cause of Christ, the conqueror of Satan : — was there anything strange in his expressing this by a sacred ceremony ?

Blessing. May Christ grant Benedictio. Christus perunto us the joys of eternal life, petuaa det nobis gaudia vitse. I£. Amen. I£. Amen.

5th lesson.

In the conflict thus entered In quo conflictu pro nobis into for our sakes, the combat inito, magno et mirabili was fought by our Omnipo- sequitatis jure certatum est, tent God with great and ad- dum omnipotens Dominus mirable equity ; inasmuch as cum saevissimo hoste non it is not in his own Majesty, in sua majestate, sed in nos- but in our lowliness, that he tra congreditur humilitate : attacks our bitter foe ; oppos- objiciens ei eamdem for- ing him with the self-same mam, eamdemque naturam, form, and self-same nature as mortalitatis quidem nostrae ours, Man like us in every- participem, sed peccati thing save sin : for, that which totius expertem. Alienum is written of all men, had no quippeabhacNativitateest, place in this Nativity : " Not quod de omnibus legitur :

" one is free from defilement, Nemo mundus a sorde, nee

" no, not the child whose life infans cujus est unius diei vita super terrain. Mhil ergo in istam singularem Nativitatemde carnis concupiscentia transivit, nihil de peccati lege manavit. Virgo regia Davidicse stirpis eligitur, quae sacro gravidanda fcetu, divinam humanamque prolem prius conciperet mente, quam corpore. Et ne superni ignara consilii ad inusitatos paveret affatus, quod in ea operandam erat a Spiritu Sancto, colloquio discit angelico, nee damnum credit pudoris, Dei Genitrix mox futura.

I£. Beata Dei genitrix Maria, cujus viscera intacta permanent : * Hodie genuit Salvatorem sseculi. ft. Beata qua credidit, quoniam perfecta sunt omnia quse dicta sunt ei a Domino. * Hodie genuit Salvatorem.

Benedictio. Ignem sui amoris accendat Deus in cordibus nostris.

1$. Amen.

"on earth is but one day." Into this admirable Birth, then, there passed nothing pertaining to the concupiscence of the flesh, there entered not aught of the law of sin. A Virgin of the royal family of David is chosen, who, having to be made Mother of the Divine Child, the God-Man, conceived him in her soul, before she conceived him in her womb. And lest the ineffable mystery should make her fear, were she left ignorant of the Divine plan, she is told by the Angel of that which was to be done in her by the Holy Ghost, and was given to see how she could be Mother of God, yet remain a pure Virgin.

^. The Blessed Mother of God, Mary, remaining ever the spotless Virgin, * Hath this day given birth to the Saviour of the world. ft. Blessed in that she believed, for all those things have been done in her, that were said unto her by the Lord.

Blessing. May God enkindle within our hearts the fire of his love.

^. Amen.

6th lesson.

Agamus ergo, dilectissimi, gratias Deo Patri, per Filium ejus in Spiritu sancto : qui propter multam charitatem suam, qua dilexit nos, misertus est nostri : et cum essemus mortui

Let us, therefore, dearly Beloved, give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Ghost : because, through his exceeding charity, wherewith he hath loved us, he has had compassion upon us ; and when we were dead in our sins, quickened us unto life together with Christ, that we might be a new creature in him, and a new substance. Therefore, let us put off the old man with his acts, and, having been made partakers of the generation of Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh. Learn thy own worth, O Christian ! and, having been made a partaker* of the divine nature, scorn to become again the vile thing of old. Remember of what Head and of what Body thou art a member. Remember how thou, having been snatched from the power of darkness, hast been translated into the Light and Kingdom of God.

I£. O holy and immaculate Virginity, I know not with what praises I shall extol thee : *For thou didst bear in thy womb Him whom the heavens cannot contain.

$". Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Glory. * For thou. peccatis, convivificat nos Christo, ut essemus in ipso nova creatura, novumque figmentum. Deponamus ergo veterem hominem cum actibus' suis, et adepti participationem generationis Christi, carnis renuntiemus operibus. Agnosce, O Christiane, dignitatem tuam : et divinae consors factus naturae, noli in veterem vilitatem degeneri conversatione redire. Memento cujus capitis et cujus corporis sis membrum. Reminiscere, quia erutus de potestate tenebrarum, translatus es in Dei lumen et regnum.

I£. Sancta et immaculata Virginitas, quibus te laudibus efferam, nescio : * Quia quern cceli capere non poterant, tuo gremio contulisti.

$\ Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui. Gloria. * Quia.

THE THIRD NOCTURN.

The seventh Psalm of Christmas-Day's Matins, is the prayer of the Jewish people for their Deliverer, the Messias. Juda has fallen under the Roman power ; she has lost the sceptre ; Jerusalem is polluted by the presence of the Gentiles ; and yet, the Christ appears not. This Psalm reminds the God of Jacob of the promises made to David and his seed, of that everlasting Kingdom, which is so long in coming, and of those other Prophecies, whose accom- plishment can alone put a stop to the haughty blasphemies of the Gentiles. But, the hour has come ; Juda and the Gentiles are to be kept no longer in suspense ; Jehovah is about to fulfil his word.

Ant. Ipse invocabit me, Ant. He shall cry out to alleluia: Pater nieus es tu, me, alleluia: "thou art my alleluia. " Father," alleluia. psalm 88.

Misericordias Domini * in ssternum cantabo.

In generationem et generationem : * annuntiabo veritatem tuam in ore meo.

Quoniam dixisti : in aeternum misericordia sedificabitur in coelis : * prseparabitur Veritas tua in eis.

Disposui testamentum electis meis ; juravi David servo meo : * usque in asternum prseparabo semen tuum.

Et sedificabo in generationem et generationem : * sedem tuam.

Confitebuntur cceli mirabilia tua Domine : * etenim veritatem tuam in Ecclesia Sanctorum.

Quoniam quis in nubibus sequabitur Domino : * similis erit Deo in filiis Dei 1

Deus, qui glorificatur in concilio Sanctorum : * magnus et terribilis super omnes, qui in circuitu ejus sunt.

Domine Deus virtutum, quis similis tibi *? * potens es Domine, et Veritas tua in circuitu tuo.

The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever.

Unto generation and generation, I will show forth thy truth with my mouth.

For thou hast said : Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens ; thy truth shall be prepared in them.

Thou hast said : "I have " made a covenant with my " elect ; I have sworn to David, " my servant ; thy seed will I " settle for ever.

" And I will build up thy " Throne unto generation and " generation."

The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord : and thy truth in the Church of the Saints.

For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord : or who among the sons of God shall be like to God 1

. God, who is glorified in the assembly of the Saints : great and terrible above all them that are about him.

O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee] thou art mighty, 0 Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.

Thou rulest the power of the sea : and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.

Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain : with the arm of thy strength, thou hast scattered thy enemies.

Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth ; the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded : the north and the sea thou hast created.

Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name : thy arm is with might.

Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted : justice and judgment are the preparation of thy Throne.

Mercy and truth shall go before thy face : blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.

They shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance, and in thy name they shall rejoice all the day : and in thy justice, they shall be exalted.

For thou art the glory of their strength : and in thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.

For our protection is of the Lord : and of our King, the Holy One of Israel.

Then thou spokest in a vision to thy Saints, and saidst : " I have laid help upon " one that is mighty, and have " exalted one chosen out of my " people.

"I have found David my " servant : with my holy oil I " have anointed him.

" For my hand shall help

Tu dominaris potestati maris : * motum autem nuctuuni ejus tu mitigas.

Tu humiliasti sicut vulneratum, superbum : * in brachio virtutis tuse dispersisti inimicos tuos.

Tui sunt cceli, et tua est terra, orbem terras et plenitudinem ejus tu fundasti : * aquilonem et mare tu creasti.

Thabor et Hermon in nomine tuo exsultabunt : * tuum brachium cum potentia.

Firmetur manus tua : et exaltetur dextera tua : *justitia et judicium prasparatio sedis tuas.

Misericordia et Veritas precedent faciem tuam : * beatus populus qui scit jubilationem.

Domine, in lumine vultus tui ambulabunt, et in nominetuo exsultabunt, tota die : * et justitia tua exaltabuntur.

Quoniam gloria virtutis eorum tu es : * et in beneplacito tuo exaltabitur cornu nostrum.

_ Quia Domini est assumptio nostra : * et sancti Israel Regis nostri.

Tunc locutus es in visione Sanctis tuis, et dixisti : * Posui adjutorium in potente, et exaltavi electum de plebe mea.

Inveni David servum meum : * oleo sancto meo unxi eum.

Manus enim mea auxilia- bitur ei : * et brachium meum confortabit eum.

Nihil proficiet inimicus in eo : * et filius iniquitatis non apponet nocere ei.

Et concidam a facie ipsius inimicos ejus : * et odientes eum in fugam convertam.

Et Veritas mea. et misericordia mea cum ipso : * et in nomine meo exaltabitur cornu ejus.

Et ponam in mari manum ejus, * et in numinibus dexteram ejus.

Ipse invocabit me : Pater meus es tu : * Deus meus, et susceptor salutis mese.

Et ego primogenitum ponam ilium : * excelsum pra regibus terras.

In 3eternum servabo illi misericordiam meam : * et testamentum meum fidele ipsi.

Et poriam m sseculum sseculi semen ejus : * et tb.ronum ejus sicut dies coeli.

Si autem dereliquerint filii ejus legem meam : et in judiciis meis non ambulaverint.

Si justitias meas prof anaverint : * et mandata mea non custodierint.

Visitabo in virga iniquitates eorum : * et in verberibus peccata eorum.

Misericordiam autem meam non dispergam ab eo : * neque nocebo in veritate mea.

Neque profanabo testa-

" him : and my arm shall " strengthen him.

" The enemy shall have no " advantage over him : nor the "son of iniquity have power " to hurt him.

" And I will cut down his " enemies before his face : and " them that hate him I will put " to flight.

"And my truth, and my " mercy, shall be with him : "and in my name shall his " horn be exalted.

" And I will set his hand in " the sea ; and his right hand " in the rivers.

" He shall cry out to me : " Thou art my Father, my God, "and support of my salva- " tion.

" And I will make him my "First-Born, high above the " Kings of the earth.

" I will keep my mercy for " him for ever : and my cove- " nant faithful to him.

" And I will make his seed " to endure for evermore : and "his Throne as the days of "heaven.

" And if his children forsake " my law, and walk not in my "judgments :

"If they profane my jus-

" tices, and keep not my com-

" mandments :

" I will visit their iniquities

" with a rod : and their sins

" with stripes. " But my mercy I will not take away from him : nor will I suffer my truth to fail

" Neither will I profane my

" covenant : and the words, " that proceed from my mouth, " I will not make void.

" Once I have sworn by my " Holiness, I will not lie unto " David : his seed shall endure " for ever.

" And his Throne as the sun " before me : and as the moon " perfect for ever, and a faith- " ful witness in heaven."

These are thyivords, 0 Lord ! but thou hast rejected and despised : thou hast put off thy Christ.

Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant : thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the earth.

Thou hast broken down all his hedges : thou hast made his strength fear.

All that pass by the way have robbed him : he is become a reproach to his neighbours.

Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him : thou hast made all his enemies to rej oice.

Thou hast turned away the help of his sword : and hast not assisted him in battle.

Thou hast made his purification to cease : thou hast cast his Throne down to the ground. Thou hast shortened the days of his time : thou hast covered him with confusion.

How long, 0 Lord, turnest thou away unto the end 1 shall thy anger burn like fire %

Remember what my substance is : for hast thou made all the children of men in vain?

Who is the man that shall live, and not see death ] that mentum meum : * et quae procedunt de labiis meis, non faciam irrita.

Semel juravi in Sancto meo si David mentiar : * semen ejus in aeternum manebit.

Et thronus ejus sicut sol in conspectu meo : * et sicut luna perfecta in aeternum, et testis in coelo fidelis.

Tu vero repulisti et despexisti : * distulisti Christum tuum.

Evertisti testamentum servi tui : * profanasti in terra sanctuarium ejus.

Destruxisti omnes sepes ejus : * posuisti firmamentum ejus formidinem.

Diripuerunt eum omnes transeuntes viam : * factus est opprobrium vicinis suis.

Exaltasti dexteram deprimentium eum : * laetificasti omnes inimicos ejus.

^Avertisti adjutorium gladii ejus : % et non es auxiliatus ei in bello.

Destruxisti eum ab emundatione : * et sedem ejus in terrain collisisti.

Minorasti dies temporis ejus : * perfudisti eum confusione.

_ Usquequo Domine, avertis in finem : * exardescet sicut ignis ira tua 1

Memorare quae mea substantia : * numquid enim vane constituisti omnes filios hominum.

Quis est homo qui vivet, et non videbit mortem : * eruet animam suam de maim inf eri 1

Ubi sunt misericordise tuse antiquse D online : * sicut jurasti David in veritate tua?

Memor esto Domine opprobrii servorum tuorum : * (quod continui in sinu meo) multarum gentium.

Quod exprobraverunt inimici tui Domine : * quod exprobraverunt commutationem Christi tui.

Benedictus Dominus in seternum : * fiat, fiat.

Ant. Ipse invocabit me, alleluia : Pater meus es tu, alleluia. shall deliver his soul from the hand of heU ! _ Where, O Lord, are thy ancient mercies, according to what thou didst swear to David, in thy truth 1

Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants, (which I have held in my bosom,) of many nations :

Wherewith thy enemies have reproached, 0 Lord : wherewith they have reproached the change of thy Christ.

But, blessed be the Lord for evermore ! this Christ is coming to us, and this very night ! so be it — so be it !

Ant. He shall cry out to me, alleluia : " thou art my " Father f alleluia.

The eighth Psalm is one of delighted joy at the coming of our Infant Jesus, our Saviour. It calls on all nations to adore him, and on all nature to do him homage. This Messias is come to reign over us : he is come to correct, that is, to uphold the whole of creation, which was fallen : — a New Canticle, then, dear Christians !

Ant. Laetentur cceli, et Ant. Let the heavens reexsultet terra ante faciem joice, and let the earth be glad, Domini, quoniam venit. before the face of the Lord ; for lo ! he cometh !

psalm 95.

Cantate Domino canticum novum : * cantate Domino omnis terra.

Cantate Domino, et benedicite nomini ejus : * annuntiate de die in diem Salutare ejus.

Annuntiate inter Gentes

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle : sing to the Lord all the earth.

Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name : show forth his Saviour from day to day.

Declare his glory among the

Gentiles : his wonders among all people.

For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised : he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils : but the Lord made the heavens.

Praise and beauty are before him : holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

Bring ye to the Lord, all ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour : bring to the Lord glory unto his name.

Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts : adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

Let all the earth be moved at his presence : Say ye among the Gentiles : the Lord hath reigned, he hath reigned in his Crib.

For, by his much-loved Birth, he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved ; he will judge the people with justice.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad ; let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof; the fields and all things, that are in them shall be joyful.

Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice, before the face of the Lord, because he cometh : because he cometh to judge and save the earth.

He shall judge the world with justice ; and the people with his truth.

Ant. Let the heavens re- gloriam ejus : * in omnibus populis mirabilia ejus.

Quoniam Magnus Dominus, et laudabilis nimis : * terribilis est super omnes deos.

Quoniam omnes dii Gentium daemonia : * Dominus autem coelos fecit.

Confessio et pulchritudo in conspectu ejus : % sanctimonia et magnificentia in sanctificatione ejus.

Afferte Domino patriae Gentium, afferte Domino gloriam et honorem : * afferte Domino gloriam nomini ejus.

Tollite hostias, et introite in atria ejus : * adorate Dominum in atrio sancto ejus.

Commoveatur a facie ejus universa terra : * dicite in Gentibus, quia Dominus regnavit.

Etenim correxit orbem terrae qui non commovebitur; *judicabit populos in aequitate.

Laetentur cceli, et exsultet terra, commoveatur mare, et plenitudo ejus : * gaudebunt campi, et omnia quae in eis sunt.

Tunc exsultabunt omnia ligna silvarum a facie Domini, quia venit : * quoniam venit judicare terram.

Judicabit orbem terrae in aequitate : et populos in veritate sua.

Ant. Laetentur cceli, et exsultet terra, ante faciem joice, and let the earth be glad Domini, quoniam venit. before the face of the Lord ; for lo ! he cometh !

The ninth Psalm, too, is a New Canticle, in praise of the Saviour that is corning, and of the Father that sends him to us. Jehovah has remembered his mercies, and the whole earth will soon be permitted to see its Emmanuel. Let our holy songs, this beautiful Night, be full of enthusiasm, and lend a voice of praise to all Nature, for, all Nature was regenerated by its Creator being born on this earth.

Ant. Notum fecit Domi- Ant. The Lord hath made nus, alleluia, Salutare suum, known, alleluia ! his Saviour, alleluia, alleluia !

psalm 97.

Cantate Domino canticum novum : * quia mirabilia fecit.

Salvavit sibi dextera ejus : * et brachium sanctum ejus.

Notum fecit Dominus Salutare suum : * in conspectu Gentium re velavit justitiam suam.

Recordatus est misericordias suae, * et veritatis suae domui Israel.

Viderunt omnes termini terra : * salutare Dei nostri.

Jubilate Deo omnis terra : * cantate, et exsultate, et psallite.

Psallite Domino in cithara, in cithara et voce psalmi : * in tubis ductilibus, et voce tubae corneas.

Jubilate in conspectu Regis Domini ; * moveatur

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle : because he hath done wonderful things.

Or this day, his right hand hath wrought for him salvation ; and his arm is holy.

The Lord hath made known his Saviour : he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

He hath remembered his mercy, and his truth toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth, that were expecting it, have seen the salvation of our God.

Sing joyfully to God, all the earth ; make melody, rejoice, and sing.

Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp and with the voice of a psalm : with long trumpets, and sound of cornet.

Make a joyful noise before the Lord, our King : let the sea be moved, and the fulness mare, et plenitudo ejus, thereof ; the world, and they orbisterrarum, et qui habi- that dwell therein. tant in eo.

The rivers shall clap their Flumina plaudent manu, hands, the mountains shall re- simul montes exsultabunt a joice together at the presence conspectu Domini; * quo- of the Lord ; because he niam venit judicare terram. cometh to judge and save the earth.

He shall judge the world Judicabit orbem terrarum with justice, and the people in justitia : * et populos in with equity. sequitate.

Ant. The Lord hath made Ant. Notum fecit Domi- known, alleluia ! his Saviour, nus, alleluia, Salutare suum, alleluia ! alleluia.

$". He shall cry out to me, <v . Ipse invocabit me, al- alleluia ! leluia.

I£. "Thou art my Father," 1$. Pater meus es tu, al- alleluia ! leluia.

Our Father. Pater noster.

The Pater noster having been recited, as in the two first Nocturns, the Priest says : vinculis peccatorum nostrorum absolvat nos omet misericors minus. I£. Amen.

May the Almighty and mer- A ciful Lord, deliver us from the chains of our sins. 1$. Amen, nipotens Do-

Then are read the beginnings of the three Gospels, which are said in the three Masses of Christmas Day. To each portion of these Gospels is appended a passage from a Homily by one of the Holy Fathers.

The first of the three is that of St. Luke, and the Homily given is that of St. Gregory the Great. It relates the publishing of the Emperor Augustus' edict, commanding a census of the whole world. This seventh Lesson, according to the Ceremonial of the Roman Church, is to be sung by the Emperor, if he happen to be in Rome at the time ; and this is done, in order to honour the Imperial power, whose decrees were the occasion of Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem, and so fulfilling the designs of God,

N which he had revealed to the ancient Prophets. The Emperor is led to the Pope, in the same manner as the Knight who had to sing the fifth Lesson ; he puts on the Cope ; two Cardinal-Deacons gird him with the sword, and go with him to the Ambo. The Lesson being concluded, the Emperor again goes before the Pope, and kisses his foot, as being the Yicar of the Christ whom he has just announced. This ceremony was observed in 1468, by the Emperor Frederic III., before the then Pope, Paul II.

Benedictio. Evangelica Blessing. May the readlectio sit nobis salus, et pro- ing of the Gospel bring us tectio ! I£. Amen. salvation and protection.

I£. Amen.

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam. Cap. II.

Lesson from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Oh. II.

7th lesson.

In illo tempore, exiit Edictum a Csesare Augusto, ut describeretur universus orbis. Et reliqua.

Homilia S. Gregorii Papse.

Quia, largiente Domino, Missarum solemnia ter hodie celebraturi sumus, loqui diu de Evangelica lectione non possumus ; sed nos aliquid vel breviter dicere Bedemptoris nostri Nativitas ipsa compellit. Quid est enim quod nascituro Domino, mundus describitur, nisi hoc quod aperte monstratur, quia ille apparebat in carne, qui electos suos adscriberet in seternitate 1 Quo contra de reprobis per Prophetam dicitur : Delean-

At that time, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. And the rest.

Homily of Saint Gregory, Pope.

Since, by the divine bounty, we are, this day, thrice to celebrate the solemn office of Mass, we cannot speak long on the lesson of the Gospel ; and yet, this very Nativity of our Redeemer compels us to say something, however brief. Why, then, is it, that when our Lord was about to be born, the world is enrolled ; if not that hereby is shown, that He, who appeared in the flesh, is He that would enrol his elect in eternity? Just as, when speaking of the repro- bate, the Prophet says : Let them be blotted out of the book of the living ; and with the just, let them not be written. Then, again : Jesus is born in Bethlehem ; 'tis well ; for Bethlehem signifies a House of Bread, and Jesus said of himself : I am the living Bread, that came down from heaven. The place, therefore, in which he is born, had had the name of House of Bread given to it, because there would appear in the material reality of our flesh, He who was to refresh the souls of the elect with spiritual repletion. And, why is he born, not at his Mother's home, but away from it ? Is it not, to show, how, by his assuming human nature, he was born, so to say, in a foreign country 1

1$. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, that bore the Son of the Eternal Father; and blessed are the breasts, that fed Christ the Lord, * Who deigned to be born, this day, of the Virgin, for the world's salvation. p. A holy day hath shone upon us j come, ye Gentiles, and adore the Lord. * Who deigned. tur de libro viventium, et cum justis non scribantur. Qui bene etiam in Bethlehem nascitur : Bethlehem quippe domus panis interpretatur. Ipse namque est qui ait : Ego sum panis vivus qui de ccelo descendi. Locus ergo, in quo Dominus nascitur, domus panis antea vocatus est : quia futurum profecto erat, ut ille ibi per materiam carnis appareret, qui electorum mentes interna satietate reficeret. Qui non in parentum domo, sed in via nascitur, ut profecto ostenderet, quia per humanitatem suam, quam assumpserat, quasi in alieno nascebatur.

I£. Beata viscera Marias Virginis, quae portaverunt seterni Patris Filium, et beata ubera, quae lactaverunt Christum Dominum, * Qui hodie pro salute mundi de Virgine nasci dignatus est.

~ft. Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis : venite Gentes, et adorate Dominum. Qui hodie.

The second of the three Gospels, which forms the subject of the eighth Lesson, is also taken from St. Luke, and the Homily is by St. Ambrose. It gives the description of the Shepherds going to the holy Stable.

Blessing. May our sins be wiped away by the words of the Gospel. ]J. Amen.

Benedictio. PerEvangelica dicta deleantur nostra delicta. 1$. Amen.

CHEISTMAS.

Lectio sancti Evangelii cundum Lucam. Cap. II. se- Lesson of the holy Gospel according to Luke. Ch. II

8th lesson In illo tempore : Pastores loquebantur ad invicem : Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis. Et reliqua.

Homilia sancti Ambrosii Episcopi.

Videte Ecclesise surgentis exordium: Christus nascitur, et Pastores vigilare cceperunt : qui gentium greges, pecudum more ante viventes, in caulam Domini congregarent, ne quos spiritualium bestiarum, per offusas noctium tenebras paterentur incursus. Et bene pastores vigilant, quos bonus pastor informat. Grex igitur populus, nox saeculum, pastores sunt sacerdotes. Aut f ortasse etiam ille sit Pastor, cui dicitur : Esto vigilans et confirma ; quia non solum Episcopos_ ad tuendum gregem Dominus ordinavit, sed etiam Angelos ordinavit.

1$. Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis : * Et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre ; plenum gratiae et veritatis.

At that time the Shepherds said one to another : Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word, that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed unto us. And the rest.

Homily of Saint Ambrose, Bishop.

Here, see the beginning of the infant Church : Christ is born ; and Shepherds are watching, as about to herd, into the Lord's fold, that Gentile flock, which had hitherto lived like brute animals, and this, lest, during the thick darkness of night, they might suffer from the attacks of spiritual wild beasts. And it is well said, that the Shepherds are watching, for Shepherds, trained by the Good Shepherd, do watch. So that, the Flock is the people ; the Night is the world ; the Shepherds are the Priests. Or, perhaps, we might interpret him to be the Shepherd, to whom it is said : Be thou watchful, and givestrength ; for, not only has our Lord set Bishops to guard the Flock, he has set the very Angels..

]^. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us : * And we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the Only- Begotten of the Father ; full of grace and truth.

"ft". All things were made by $\ Omnia per ipsum facta him ; and without him was sunt : et sine ipso factum made nothing. * And we saw. est nihil. Et vidimus. Glo-

Glory be to the Father, &c. * ria. Et vidimus. And we saw.

The third Gospel, which forms the subject of the ninth Lesson, is the beginning of that according to St. John, and is commented by St. Augustine : it speaks of the Eternal Generation of the Word.

Blessing. May Christ, the Son of God, teach us the words of the Holy Gospel. 1^. Amen.

Benedictio. Verba Sancti Evangelii doceat nos Christus Filius Dei. I£. Amen.

Lesson of the holy Gospel according to John.

Ck I.

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem. Cap. I.

9th lesson.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the rest.

Homily of St. Augustine, Bishop.

Lest thou shouldst think that this is some commonplace thing, as thou art wont to do when men talk to thee, hear what it is thou art to think: The Word was God. After this, some infidel Arian will come forward and tell me, that the Word of God was made. How is it possible, that the Word of God could be made, when God made all things by the Word 1 If this very Word of God was also made, by what other Word was he made ? If thou reply, that the Word of the Word is the one by which he was made — then, I will answer

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Et reliqua.

Honiilia sancti Augustini Episcopi.

Ne vile aliquid putares, quale consuevisti cogitare, cum verba humana soleres audire, audi quid cogites, Deus erat Verbum. Exeat nunc nescio quis infidelis Arianus, et dicat, quia Verbum Dei factum est. Quomodo potest fieri, ut verbum Dei factum sit, quando Deus per Verbum fecit omnia 1 Si et Verbum Dei ipsum factum est, per quod aliud Verbum est ? Si hoc dicis, quia hoc est Verbum Verbi, per quod factum est illud ; ipsum dico ego unicum Filium Dei. Si autem non dicis Verbum Verbi, concede non factum, per quod facta sunt omnia. Non enim per seipsum fieri potuit, per quod facta sunt omnia. Crede ergo evange- thee, that this very one is He whom we mean by the Son of God. But, if thou do not say there is a Word that made the Word, — then grant, that He, listse. by whom all things were made, was Himself not made, since He, by whom all things were made, could not make Himself. Therefore, believe the Evangelist.

Our three Night Vigils are over : we have sung our songs of praise ; we have listened to our Mother the Church telling us of the Prophecies of the beautiful Coming : and meanwhile, the Night has advanced, and now the long-expected, the ever-sacred hour of Midnight has come, and we are to see the Divine Infant Jesus, lying in his Crib and smiling upon his Mother. Jubilee is the duty of this sweetest moment : let our hearts beat with delight ! Jesus, our Salvation is coming down from heaven, and for our sakes. What a joy it is, that our dear Church gives us a Canticle, which is a worthy reception of this our God ! Come, then, Christians, let us make the holy place echo with our grand Te Deum !

HYMN" OF THANKSGIVING.

Te Deum laudamus:* te Dominum confitemur.

Te seternum Patrem j * omnis terra veneratur.

Tibi omnes Angeli; * tibi coeli, ut universse potestates.

Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim : * incessabili voce proclamant.

Sanctus,

Sanctus,

Sanctus, * Dominus Deus Sabaoth!

We praise thee, 0 God ! we acknowledge thee to be our Lord.

Thee, the Father everlasting, all the earth doth worship.

To thee the Angels, to thee the heavens, and all the Powers:

To thee the Cherubim and Seraphim, cry out without ceasing:

Holy!

Holy!

Holy! baoth!

Lord God of Sa-

Full are the heavens and the earth of the majesty of thy glory.

Thee the glorious choir of the Apostles.

Thee the laudable company of the Prophets.

Thee the white-robed army of Martyrs doth praise.

Thee the holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge.

The Father of incomprehensible majesty.

Thy adorable, true, and only Son.

And the Holy Ghost the Paraclete.

Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

Thou being to take upon thee to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.

Thou having overcome the sting of death, hast opened to believers the kingdom of heaven.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

Thee we believe to be the Judge to come.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra * majestatis gloriae tuas.

Te gloriosus * Apostolorum chorus.

Te Prophetarum * laudabilis numerus.

Te Martyrum candidatus

• laudat exercitus.

Te per orbem terrarum * sancta conlitetur Ecclesia.

Patrem * immensae majestatis.

Venerandum tuum verum, * et unicum Filium.

Sanctum quoque * Paraclitum Spiritum.

Tu Kex glorise, * Christe.

Tu Patris, * sempiternus es Filius.

Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, * non horruisti Virginis uterum.

Tu devicto mortis aculeo :

• aperuisti credentibus reg" na coelorum.

Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes : * in gloria Patris.

Judex crederis * esse venturus.

All hieel at the following Verse

"We beseech thee, therefore, to help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy saints in eternal glory.

O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance.

Te ergo quaesumus, tuis f amulis subveni, * quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. iEterna fac cum Sanctis tuis * in gloria numerari.

Salvum fac populum tuum Domine : * et benedic hsereditati tuae.

Et rege eos: * et extolle illos usque in seternum.

Per singulos dies * benedicimus te.

Et laudamusNonientuum in saeculum : * et in saeculum sseculi.

Dignare, Domine, die isto,

• sine peccato nos custodire.

Miserere nostri, Domine ;

• miserere nostri.

Fiat misericordia tua Domine super nos, * quemadmodum speravimus in te.

In te Domine speravi : * non confundar in seternum.

And govern them, and exalt them for ever. Every day, we magnify thee.

And we praise thy Name for ever and ever.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, have mercy on us. _ Let thy mercy, 0 Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in thee.

In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust : let me not be confounded for ever.

Our Hymn of Thanksgiving sung, the Church concludes the Office of Matins by the following Prayer, in which she embodies all her desires on this Feast of the New Birth of the Only Begotten Son of God.

OEEMTJS.

Concede, qusesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut nos Unigeniti tui nova per carnem nativitas liberet, quos sub peccati jugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per eumdem.

LET US PEAY.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who groan under the old captivity of sin, may be freed therefrom by the new Birth of thine Only Begotten Son. Through the same Jesus Christ, &c.

MIDNIGHT MASS.

It is now time to offer the Great Sacrifice, and to call down our Emmanel 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.