*' T N that day the mountains shall drop down sweetness,
and the hills shall flow with milk." (Joel iii. i8.)
Thus the holy Church throughout the world speaks of the
sweet mystery of Our Saviour's birth. And, indeed, on
that day of days, when the only-begotten Son of God,
clothed in human flesh, was bom into this world, it may
truly be said that the mountains dropped down sweet-
ness, and the hills flowed with milk and honey. For
He Who is sweeter far than milk and honey. Who is Him-



62 In the Holy Mass Christ Renews His Nativity

self the plentiful source of all sweetness, by His entrance
into the world made all things sweet; He brought true
joy from heaven, He brought peace to men of good will;
He brought comfort to the afflicted, to the world the
dawn of a new and brighter day.
