O Antiphon December 20 

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

If Jesus had not come, we would still be held in bondage awaiting the sentence of death and eternal alienation from God. We were in bondage because of Original sin and because of our own personal sins. We could not save ourselves. But God in his infinite mercy chose to become one like us so that he could give his life in ransom for our freedom. His gift unlocked the prison of our captivity. How can we respond? Never equally, gift for gift. But we can respond with gratitude and love, learning to serve as he has served.