In Circumcisione Domini ~ Duplex II. classis

Scriptura: Ad Romános, cap. 4

Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ & Octave Day of the Nativity

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Color: White

Mass

After Terce, no Commemorations.

Gloria. Credo.

Preface: Nativity

Proper Communicantes/Hanc Igitur: Proper Communicantes of the Nativity

Office

Doxology: Incarnation

Hymn Tone: Christmas

Prime: Verse = "Qui natus es"

Vespers: Second Vespers of the feast, no Commemoration of the following day.

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.
Book ii on Luke ii
So the Child is circumcised. This is the Child of Whom it is said: Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, Isa. ix. 6.Made under the law to redeem them that were under the law. Gal. iv. 4. To present Him to the Lord, ~22. In my Commentary on Isaiah I have already explained what is meant by being presented to the Lord in Jerusalem, and therefore I will not enter into the subject again. He that is circumcised in heart gaineth the protection of God, for the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. Ps. xxxiii. 16. Ye will see that as all the ceremonies of the old law were types of realities in the new, so the circumcision of the body signified the cleansing of the heart from the guilt of sin.

But since the body and mind of man remain yet infected with a proneness' to sin, the circumcision of the eighth day is also a type of that complete cleansing from sin which we shall have at the resurrection. This ceremony was also performed in obedience to the commandment of God: Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy unto the Lord. These words were written with especial reference to the delivery of the Blessed Virgin. Truly He That opened her womb was holy, for He was altogether without spot, and we may gather that the law was written specially for Him from the words of the Angel: That Holy Thing Which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy the intercession of her through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen