Today’s Liturgy has us on the edge of our seats. As tomorrow’s night turns to day, our salvation will be closer at hand than ever. Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Promised One of all the ages, will be incarnate among us as one like ourselves. “And suddenly there will come to the temple, the LORD whom you seek,” Malachi prophecies, and his words could not be more true. The Gospel, too, has us yearning, as Saint John the Forerunner is born and all wonder at what will become of him. Little do they know the significance of that event! Today’s “O Antiphon” speaks of Emmanuel, God-with-us: “O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Come, Lord Jesus; be our Emmanuel – God with us – come quickly and do not delay!