Wednesday, December 29 : Byzantine Liturgy

The Magi, having read the message of the stars, recognized our Creator in the arms of the Virgin. They hastened to adore him as Lord even though he had taken the form of a servant. Offering him their gifts, they cried out to her who is Most Blessed: Hail! Mother of the unsetting Light. Hail! Reflection of God’s brightness. Hail! You in whom the flame of error is quenched. Hail! Torch showing us the Trinity. Hail! For you have cast the tyrant from his kingdom. Hail! Who have shown us Christ the Lord, Lover of men (Wsd 1:6). Hail! In whom pagan idols are overturned. Hail! You set us free from our empty works. Hail! In whom the worship of pagan fire is quenched. Hail! In whom we are set free from passion’s flame. Hail! You guide believers to Christ, the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). Hail! Joy of every generation. Hail! O unwedded Bride (…) When Simeon was about to leave this world, you, O Lord, were presented to him as a little child. But in you he recognized the perfection of Godhead and, marveling before you, the unending, he cried out: “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!” (…) Without ceasing to be God, the Word that nothing can contain took flesh within our human condition. Without abandoning heaven’s reality on high, he came to dwell in the world below. He came down wholly into the womb of the praiseworthy Virgin: Hail! Temple of the God who governs all that cannot be comprehended. Hail! vestibule of the mystery hidden since the beginning. Hail! O unbelievable news for unbelievers. Hail! O gospel to believers. Hail! Chariot for him who sits above the Cherubim (Ps 80[79]:2). Hail! Throne of him who is high above the Seraphim (cf. Is 6:2). Hail! O thou in whom opposites are brought to unity. Hail! In whom virginity is united with maternity. Hail! In whom sin is pardoned. Hail! In whom Paradise is opened once more. Hail! Key of Christ’s Kingdom and gate of heaven. Hail! Hope of eternal blessedness. Hail! O unwedded Bride. All the angels in heaven were stunned before your Incarnation, O Lord, for you are the God whom mankind has never seen and you became visible to all mortal flesh and dwelt amongst us (Jn 1:18.14). With one voice we acclaim you: “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team