Sunday After The Octave Day Of The Nativity

Today was the eleventh day of Christmas. We celebrated the Feast Of The Holy Name Of Jesus at Mass.

This Feast is kept on the First Sunday in the year; but if this Sunday falls on Jan. 1st, or 6th, or 7th, the Feast is kept on Jan. 2nd. Its origin is traced to the sixteenth century, when it was celebrated by the Franciscan Order. In 1721 Pope Innocent XIII made the keeping of this solemnity universal. The Name Jesus, i.e. the Saviour of the world, was brought by the Angel Gabriel from God. "For He shall save His people from their sins."
(The Roman Missal, 1962)

Today's Gospel
St. Luke, 2. 21:
At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesu, the very thought of Thee,
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
The Saviour of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His lovers know.

Jesu, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be!
Jesu, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.
Amen

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, alleluia.
From henceforth now and forever, alleluia.