FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

From "The Saint Andrew Daily Missal" (1937)

At Christmas Jesus will be born in our hearts, for at that time the anniversary of

His birth will be celebrated. He refuses nothing, to the prayer of the Church, His

spouse, and thus He will grant to our souls the same graces which He gave the

shepherds and the wise Kings.

Christ will come again also, at the end of all time, to "condemn the guilty to the

flames, and to call the just with a loving voice to heaven" (Hymn for Matins).

The whole of today's mass is a preparation for this double Advent of mercy and

justice. Some parts of it can be applied equally to either (e.g., the Introit,

Collect, Gradual, Alleluia), while others refer to our Divine Redeemer's lowly birth,

and others again, (e.g. the Epistle and Gospel), to His coming in the splendour of

His power and majesty. The same welcome will be given to us by our Lord when He comes

to judge us, as we give to Him now when coming to redeem us. Let us prepare for the

Christmas feast by holy prayers and aspirations and by reforming our lives, that we

may be ready for that last great assize upon which depends the fate of our soul for

all eternity. And all this with confidence, for those "who wait upon the Lord will

never be confounded" (Introit ; Gradual ; Offertory).

In former times, on this First Sunday of Advent, all the people of Rome made the

station at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, to assist at the solemn mass which the

Pope celebrated, surrounded by his clergy. This particular Church was chosen because

it is Mary who gave us Jesus and because relics of the crib in which the Blessed

Mother placed her Divine Child are preserved in this Church.

Every parish priest says Mass for the people of his parish.