John 1,1-5.9-14
Christfest I 7 0624
ad Israel et ad Gentes (Urbi et Orbi : to the city and the world)
25. December 2024
1. Ad Israel et ad Gentes. To Israel and the nations: hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah: Parvulus enim natus est nobis filius datus est nobis (Isaias 9,6a vul). For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.
2. This Child born in Bethlehem, heralded by angels and adored by shepherds is also »the Word who was with God, and this Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him.« Jesus is this Word; He is both God and Man.
3. Sadly, Jesus is not recognized or received by many of Israel or the world. Sinfulness, blindness and darkness all hinder Jews and Gentiles from fearing, loving and trusting Jesus.
4. Rejoice and be glad, O Israel and Gentiles! Jesus is your Messiah and Christ. »Break into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, Yahweh has comforted and redeemed His people. Yahweh has bared His holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God« (Isaiah 52,9-10). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 8,12). »ut iustificati gratia ipsius heredes simus secundum spem vitæ æternæ. So that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life« (Titus 3,7).
5. »Et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis et vidimus gloriam ejus gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiæ et veritatis. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.« Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Mary, the Eternal Word, the Promise of the Prophets and the Wisdom of His Heavenly Father.
6. »Cantate Domino benedicite nomini eius adnuntiate diem de die salutare eius. Sing to Yahweh, bless His Name; tell of His salvation from day to day« (Psalm 95,2 vul lxx). Frohe Weihnachten und ein gesegnetes neues Jahr in Christus Jesus, unserem Herrn! Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in Christ Jesus our Lord!
7. Come, O ye faithful,
Joyfully triumphant,
O come, O come to Bethlehem!
Behold the Babe, born to us for salvation!
O let us worship, O let us worship,
O let us worship the King!
(Herbei, o ihr Gläubigen elkg 363,1 2021 Friedrich Heinrich Ranke 1823/1826)
8. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and ✠ give you peace. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment