Once in Royal David's City...

"In the five thousand one hundred and ninety-ninth year of the creation of the world
from the time when God in the beginning created the heavens and the earth;
the two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seventh year after the flood;
the two thousand and fifteenth year from the birth of Abraham;
the one thousand five hundred and tenth year from Moses
and the going forth of the people of Israel from Egypt;
the one thousand and thirty-second year from David's being anointed king;
in the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel;
in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome;
the forty second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;
the whole world being at peace....."

-- Kalends of 25 December, Nativity of the Lord

May Mary help us to recognize in the face of the Child of Bethlehem, conceived in her virginal womb, the divine Redeemer who came into the world to reveal to us the authentic face of God.

-- Benedict XVI, 4.xii.2005

Christus natus est -- Venite, adoremus!

To all of you and all your loved ones, every good wish and prayer for peace and love
-- in your homes, in our world, in every human heart --
on this Blessed Day, in the New Year and always.

Merry Christmas to all -- Buon Natale a tutti!