Jesus actually "leapt down from heaven...with beauty...with strength" (Introit) to "direct our actions" in His Name (Prayer). Hence, the Gradual offers our "good word" of gratitude.
The Gospel prophecy that Jesus is "a sign which will be contradicted" indicates what we also may expect as "Sons of God" yet it strengthens our hope, that if we but live with Mary at "Nazareth," then the last words of the Gospel concerning Jesus may also be applied to us, "the Child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom."
The Offertory, Secret, and Postcommunion speak of final victory because "they are dead who sought the life of the Child" (Communion).
St. John Ap. and Evang., the Beloved Disciple, is commemorated in the Mass. Traditionally, Wine may be blessed for the faithful today in commemoration of St. John who drank a cup of poisoned wine without harm, using formula in the Roman Ritual.
Today, I and II Lessons, with their responsories, are taken from I Nocturn of the Nativity, and the III Lesson is the homily concerning the day’s Gospel.
Mass for the Sunday in the Octave of the Nativity will take place today at Holywell. Click here for details.