The Scriptures liken the coming of the Messiah to the rising of the sun and just as this is foreshadowed by the lightening of the sky and fingers of pink from the sun still below the horizon so today the Church lightens her penitential purple vestments into a lighter shade of rose.  The entrance antiphon and first reading speak of the joy that cannot be contained at the dawning of salvation.  The new age has already dawned with the birth of Christ two thousand years ago.  Our Lord points to evidence that the hopes and expectations are already being fulfilled in his healing of the sick.  Great though he is John the Baptist belongs to the end of the previous era – the curtain raiser or forerunner.  We celebrate Christmas because we recognise the truth that we are part of this new age and to reaffirm our faith and hope until he comes in glory.