Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-23

TuHotuLCu W Gfto VuttCuN -
Venerable brothers and dear
children, the Ecumenical Coun-
Gil which, through the grace OF
our Lord, has made an auspi-
cious beginning, has left its
imprint on this years celebra-
ton of Christmas.
From the 18th Of october to
the 9th of December saw two
months of intense religious ac-
tivity here in Rome. 1t was as
If a bright beacon was raised
over the Eternal City to invite
all Christians from the farthest
corners Of the world to heed
the call Of the Son Of God
made man, the Child Of Beth
lehem, the Redeemer of all men
and Teacher of all nations.
Certainly no solemnity in the
church is better suited to char
acterize the council than the
birth Of Christ which was an
nounced in heavenly glory and
in the Joy Of brotherhood Of
all men-both those who have
been created and those still
destined to become inhabitants
of the earth.
The Christian spirit perceives
at once a happy likeness be-
tween the reclamation Of the
fathers Of the council and the
angelic voices which ring out
every year at ChristmaStime
above the watchful shepherds,
and which are repeated in the
Holy Night in praise Of the d.
vine encounter between Heaven
and Earth. What emotion is
there in that heavenly message
which announces 1.-THE great
joy which shall be to all the
people" and in the voices Of
the angels taking flight and
praising God, saying: GLORY
to God in the highest and on
earth peace to men of good
will"
Relish Christmas Joy
Venerable brethren and dear
children, allow us to relish a
little longer the Joy Of this
Christmas, moved as we still
are by the emotions Of the
council. Let us rest in loving
meditation on these words OF
the Christmas liturgy.
Three related thoughts come
to mind as this feast Of Christ
mas draws near in the full light
of the great events of the coun-
Gil.
/. The glory Of the Lord de-
clared in the angelic song.
2. The coming and enjoy
ment of peace on earth in
answer to the aspirations Of
men and nations.
8. The apostolate and the
triumph of the unity of Holy
Church in the thought. prayer
and sacrifice Of Christ for the
spiritual benefit Of the whole
world.
/ Gloria in ExcelsiS Dec.
This is the liturgical climax OF
the Christmas hymn. And ir
this same hymn the Catholic
Church united in council bursts
forth like the Towering of
new humanity. reconciled to Its
creator and regenerated BY
Christ in JOY and peace among
men and peoples.
Consider the emotion the
fathers of the council felt as
they began their work every
day with these words in the
mass, Gloria in Excelsis Dec
repeated in many tongues, &C
cording to the various rites
which happily furnished cop
ious and attractive examples
of their liturgies: Roman and
Ambrosian, Greek and Slavic
Armenian, Antiochene and
Alexandrian, Byzantine. Chal-
dean, Melchite, Syrian, Marc
mite and many others, that
moved the heart to glorify and
love God.
Conspiracy Of Praise
1t was thus that 1t appeared
to us and thus that we de-
lighted in this conspiracy Of
praise. Of surprising Joy anc
homage to the merciful good
ness Of the Heavenly Father
He who was fortunate enough
to be present or even to heal
the echo will never forget thii
Gloria in Excelsis Dec" which
was answered not merely by the
people but, in true Gregoriar
spirit, by over 1000 bishop.
united here from every part o.
the Catholic world, on the feast
of Mary Immaculate, the moth.
er Of Jesus and our own, re.
splendent in the surprising glory
Of her exaltation.
II Besides the glory which