Christmas Novena. Day 1, 16th December

Ecce Rex veniet Dominus terræ, et ipse auferet jugum captivitatis nostræ.

Behold, the King will come, the Lord of the earth, and He will remove from us the yoke of our captivity.

On the first day of Novena, the Lord is celebrated as King. He came to earth to establish the kingdom of the Father not with the strength of the conqueror, but with the goodness and love of the Shepherd. Behold, the Lord, the King of the Earth comes, and He has chosen to redeem man by washing him with his own blood. In truth, the cross is Christ’s royal throne. From the cross He extends His arms to hold all men to Himself and to govern them with love. This is the price at which man been admitted into God’s kingdom and where he has been welcomed as co-heirs, brothers and friends without the yoke of slavery.

Come Jesus! Maranatha!

Prayer
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.