MOTHER of Christ, hear thou thy people’s cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

                              ~Herman Contractus (1013-1054)

For Reflection:

Spend quiet moments with Mary by reflecting on this antiphon and reciting the following prayer:

O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, has bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen.

In Conversation With God Vol 1 Advent/Christmas
Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
Pb 387 pgs
The Christmas Season                              31 December
37. MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME
37.1 A day for stock-taking.  Our time is short.  It is a very important part of the inheritance received from God.
Only now in this life can we obtain merit for the next.  In fact, each single day of ours is a period given us by God, so that we may fill it with love for Him, with love for those around us, with work well done, with putting the virtues into practice; in a word, a life full of good works pleasing to God’s eyes. Now is the time to amass the treasure that never perishes.  For each one of us it is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.  Once it is past, there will be no other time.