Joy Spoken

Look toward the east, O Jerusalem, and see the joy that is coming to you from God!  Behold, your sons are coming, whom you sent away; they are coming, gathered from east and west, at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.

The sheer joy of these words!  The joy of having a child return home!  Even on this side of the veil, we have glimpses of heaven.

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.  [Baruch 4:36-5:1]

A Christmas List for Jesus

The St. Andrew Christmas Novena, a.k.a the Christmas Anticipation Prayer.   Never heard of it until two years ago.  The tradition begins on the feast day of St. Andrew, November 30.

Choose one thing for which to ask the Lord.  Pray the prayer 15 times daily along with your request, up until Christmas.   Last year, I balked at the 15 times - feeling like it suggested superstition.  So, I just prayed it once per day, and still found it deeply beautiful.  But this year, I not only am saying it 15 times, but afterwards I say a request for each person in my family.  I am asking for  a list of seven things!

 Sometimes I feel like a little child sitting on Santa's lap saying, "I want this and this and this..."  And yet, isn't that what Christ wants?  He wants us to come to Him like children and promises not to withhold good things from those who ask.

Best of all is the joy and hope which pervades my soul in prayer.  The moment in which the Son of God was born...  Think of it, the very moment when Jesus entered this world!

The "O" Antiphons

O Day-Spring, Brightness of the Light Everlasting, and Sun of Righteousness, come and enlighten him that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death. [Luke 1:78.79; Malachi 4:2]

Once again, I am humbled by the beauty of an ancient Church tradition just discovered by yours truly for the very first time.  This tradition: The "O" Antiphons!

The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eight century.  They are part of Evening Prayer for December 17-23.  They use ancient Biblical imagery drawn from the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of old Messianic hopes, but present ones as well.  They embody the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. [usccb.org]

The word antiphon means a psalm, anthem or verse sung responsively.  Or, it is a verse that accompanies a canticle or psalm during the liturgy. (www.merriam-webster.com)

 Here, again, is today's antiphon in another version:

O Radiant Dawn,
Splendor of eternal light,
Sun of justice, 
Come and shine on those who dwell in darkness 
and in the shadow of death.