The Preface prayers are some of the most solemn written pieces of prayer in the history of Western civilization. Authorship is unknown. We can only imagine these prayers were written by priests in Rome. It is impossible to know how old they are, but we can assume they are of the greatest antiquity, mostly dating from before the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great.
For centuries the saints have lingered over these prayers to cultivate the interior life. In these prayers God secretly teaches the soul and instructs it in perfection and love. For mystics, this is called by contemplatives infused contemplation or mystical theology. The Christian faithful, too, can be drawn into the poignant meaning of these prayers.
Another reason why the Canon is so holy is because it technically includes the Preface. The Canon actually begins with the Preface and ends with the doxology just before the Pater Noster. A bit like the preface found in a book, the Preface in the missal is like an introduction. It tells us what we are expected to do, what the purpose is of doing it, and in doing it with whom were are associated - God.
The body of the Preface is not always the same -- it changes throughout the liturgical year. That being said, the beginning and end are almost always the same. When the prayer says why we give thanks, the reason differs according to the season or solemn commemoration, always extolling God's glory. The part that changes is always short -- a quick meditation in a kernel.
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The Christmas Preface, also known as the Preface of the Nativity of the Lord, is heard on Christmas Day and throughout its octave. It begins with the words "Vere dignum et iustum est" (It is truly right and just) and praises God the Father for the mystery of the Incarnation, stating how the mystery of the Word made flesh brought a new light to our minds, allowing us to see God in visible form.
Below is the Latin version, followed by a translation:
Vere dignum et justum est, ǽquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias agere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnipotens, ætérne Deus: Quia per incarnáti Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostræ óculis lux tuæ claritátis infúlsit: ut dum visibíliter Deum cognóscimus, per hunc in invisibílium amórem rapíamur. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus cumque omni militia cæléstis exércitus hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:It is truly meek and just, right and availing unto salvation that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. Because by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the eyes of our mind: that while we acknowledge Him to be God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing:
The core of the Preface as this beautiful thought for meditation, spoken to God the Father:
"Because by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the eyes of our mind: that while we acknowledge Him to be God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen." -Christmas Preface
How poetic to read of the "eyes of the mind" and how a new light of glory has shone upon our mind, so that, as we recognize in Christ God made visible, we may be caught up through Him in love of things invisible (the divine). The crux of this rich insight is that we can see Christ, that He is divine and human, that He will guide us to love holy things unseen.
In the Novus Ordo Missae - in typical fashion - there are 3 prefaces for the Nativity of Our Lord (always a variety and options). Who says the Old Rite did not have options? In the 1962 Roman Missal there are some twenty Prefaces (including the five so-called Gallican Prefaces added in November 1962). Newer Prefaces included those for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Christ the King.
The classic list of Prefaces include these: a Preface for the Dead, a Preface for the Epiphany of the Lord, Preface of Lent, a Preface of the Holy Cross, an Easter Preface, a Preface of the Ascension of the Lord, Preface of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Preface of Jesus Christ the King, a Preface of the Holy Spirit, a Preface of the Most Holy Trinity, a Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a preface of St. Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Preface of the Apostles, a Preface for Weekdays (Communis).
Finally, the Preface is ideally sung. It is not wonder -- the earnestness of the prayer transcends the spoken word. According to our human instinct, the Preface is so joyous and holy it is best sung. Like the Early Christians before us, the glory of God is extolled when we sing our hearts out for love of Him.
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