O Antiphons - Dec 22 - Rex Gentium

 December 22, O Rex Gentium

Today is Day 6 of the Great Antiphons, or O Antiphons (they all start with "O"), and it is O Rex Gentium - O King of the Gentiles! Jesus was born not just for the Jewish people, but for ALL people! Six ornaments on our Jesse Tree, only one more to go before the Eve of the Christ Mass!

Here is a video of the Latin chant from the Extraordinary Rite of Vespers for today:

 

And here is today's verse in the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel:

O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

A Blessed Advent to you and Happy Holy Days! Remember, it's NOT Christmas until the Christ Mass is celebrated on the First Mass of Christmas!

Keep Christ in Christmas by keeping Mass in Christmas!

O Oriens - O Antiphons Day 5 - O Morning Star

 

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris,et umbra mortis.

O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness:Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

 From the Latin Vespers:

O Oriens, O Morning Star, O Rising Sun... on this day, which is also the Winter Solstice, we are ending the longest night of the year - and the Sun will rise a bit earlier from today through the Summer Solstice. We look to the Lord our God, who brightens our darkest day! Hallelujah!

And, Happy Birthday to my baby brother, Bill!

O Clavis David - O Antiphon Dec. 20

 O Clavis David - O Key of David

Day 4 of the O Antiphons - O Clavis David or O Key of David.

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;qui aperis, et nemo claudit;claudis, et nemo aperit:veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis. (hear this chant below)

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;you open and no one can shut;you shut and no one can open:Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

We are reminded not only of the Key of David to free the people of Israel from captivity - but also Jesus as that Key, who releases us from the bonds of sin. Jesus also gives to St. Peter the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven - as His vicar to bring the faithful into Heaven.

Dec. 18 - O Antiphons Day 2 - O Adonai!

 

Day 2 of the O Antiphons - O Adonai!

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
to thee shall come Emmanuel! 

Today we hang the second ornament to O Adonai, (O Lord), as the Advent Season is winding to a close.  We are reminded of God giving the Law to His people.

4th Sunday of Advent = ChristMass is Almost Here!

 

The Fourth and final Sunday of Advent! The ChristMass is almost here! 

Drop down  dew, ye  heavens, from  above, and let the clouds rain the just  one:   let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.  [Ps.viii]   The heavens  show forth  the glory  of God,  and the firmament declares the work of His hands.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Drop down  dew, ye  heavens, from  above, and let the clouds rain the just  one:   let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior. 

Stir up  Thy power and come, we pray Thee, O Lord, and with great might succor  us; that  our deliverance, which our sins impede, may be hastened by the help of Thy grace and the forgiveness of Thy mercy. 

Since ChristMass this year also falls on a Sunday, this is the longest possible Advent Season! The last week of Advent is usually the shortest week of Advent, but again - with ChristMass falling on Sunday, we get the full week before ChristMass!

 And remember - it's NOT CHRISTMAS YET! Christmas begins with the ChristMass - usually the Midnight Mass or First Mass of Christmas.

 

The O Antiphons Have Begun!

 Yes! Today begins the traditional celebration of the O Antiphons! What are the O Antiphons? Well, each time you sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (the whole song) you're singing them!

At our home, we have a "Jesse Tree" and each day, from today up to ChristMass Eve, we put another ornament on the tree for the O Antiphons!  

Today, the 17th, is Sapientia - or Wisdom.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. 

 Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

 

Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete!

 

 The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday! Rejoice!

We light the Rose Candle on this day (not "pink"), to rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS! We are joyful not only for the coming of the ChristMass and celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but also for His glorious victory over sin and death celebrated not only on Easter Sunday, but EVERY Sunday which is like a "little Easter" every week! Through the Mass we remember His life, death, and resurrection every single time we celebrate the Mass. Likewise, every Friday is like a "little Good Friday," a time to reflect upon the unequaled Sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us - which is why we still observe some sort of penance (or act of mercy) which used to be the abstinence of meat on Fridays (and is still recommended to be that or equivalent to that) based on Canon 1250-1252, still in force and effect, of Canon Law, but I digress.

The Rose Candle is remembrance of the joy in our hearts for the risen Lord - afterall, He didn't "pink" for us on Easter Sunday, He "rose" for us!

Second Sunday in Advent

 

The 2nd Sunday of Advent

Prepare ye the way of the Lord! 

During the Season of Advent, like Lent, but with less intensity, we should be doing penance to remind ourselves of the "Reason for the Season," which, of course is Jesus Christ who became incarnate by the Holy Ghost through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Keeping in mind that the Incarnation is not just His conception and/or birth, but also His life, death, and resurrection!

 

On the Second Sunday of Advent, we light the second purple candle and as we do, it is customary to read the Collect of the day (see picture above).

 

Remember also, this is NOT the Christmas Season! Christmas starts with the First Mass of Christmas (typically "Midnight Mass"). Right now we celebrate our holy days BEFORE Christmas. One coming up on December 6th is the Feast of St. Nicholas, from where the legend of Santa Claus arises - more on that on December 6th. Two days later we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.

 

So, Happy Holy Days!

First Sunday in Advent!

 

Today is the First Sunday in Advent! 

We begin the to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the First Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

What IS Advent?

As stated above, it is a preparatory time. Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus at the Christ Mass (aka: Christmas) and Advent is the season to prepare us for the Christ Mass. 

Advent is often compared to a "Little Lent" as this preparatory time is a time of penance and reflection. The liturgical color is purple, just like Lent too - for that reason. What little sacrifices can you make during this season to remind you of the First Coming of our Lord?

What Advent IS NOT!

Advent is NOT the Season of Christmas! Christmas begins with the Christ Mass - or the First Mass of Christmas. So during the Advent Season, consider responding to people who wish you a Merry Christmas, before Christmas has begun, with "And a Blessed Advent to you!"

Offended by "Happy Holidays?"

Well, DON'T BE! "Holidays" is short for "Holy Days" - so when someone wishes you "Happy Holidays" they are (whether they are a aware or not) wishing you to have Happy Holy Days! You might consider responding with, "Thank you, and may your Holy Days be special too!"

Some argue that they are "taking Christ out of Christmas" - but that is not true! First off, as already stated, it is NOT Christmas yet! These are the Holy Days which lead UP TO Christmas! In the context of the liturgical year, Christ isn't here yet, so how can you be removing Him?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes! In the Church year, today is the first day of the new liturgical year! So, Happy New Year!

My Anniversary Too!

November 27, 1981 - I married Katherine Marks - and we have had 41-derful years together! Here's to the start of year 42 and even more wonderful years to come - Lord willing!
 

 

Fourth and Final Sunday in Advent

The Fourth and Final Sunday in Advent! This marks the second longest possible Advent season, and the longest Advent season will happen next year! The longest Advent season happens when Christmas falls on a Sunday, which it will in 2022. For those who like to stretch out the seasons, especially Advent, this is nice! And remember too - Christmas Day does not mark the end of Christmas - it is the BEGINNING of Christmastide!

For those who just "want Christmas to be over," I have bad news for you - Christmas has not even begun yet! Christmastide BEGINS on Christmas Day - and lasts until Candlemas, February 2nd! So, even with next year's "longest Advent" - the Christmas Season lasts longer! You can actually keep your decorations up for over a month after Christmas Day!

Second Sunday in Advent - Stir Up Our Hearts

 

The second purple candle is lit today! We meditate on the stirring up of our hearts in the preparation of for the coming of the Son, the Savior, the Light of the World. If you have been following the Chanukah entries this year (2021) you will also see that today is the last day of Chanukah and in the Jewish tradition, the Festival of Lights concludes with the reminder of the Chosen People of God to be the Light of the World, the Light to the Gentiles.

Catholicism is the fulfilled Jewish tradition. If one takes a closer look at the ways of the Jews and how they were to build their temple, set up their altar, and the vestments their priests were to wear - you will see quite a lot of similarities in the same for the Catholic tradition! 

Another reminder - when someone wishes you "Happy Holidays" - you should not be offended, but thankful that they recognize the holy days of Advent too! After all, it is not yet Christmas! Christmas begins with the Christ Mass which traditionally is a midnight Mass. And keep in mind, the way to keep Christ in Christmas is to keep the Mass in Christmas.

Advent 2021 Nov 28th

Can you believe it? Advent is almost here! 2021 seems like a blur of 2020 with all the COVID issues across the globe - and sadly - it is still with us. I work in a hospital in north-central Arizona and while we are not seeing numbers of COVID hospitalizations over 200 (like we did in January-February of 2020) and it has been as low as getting into the 20s - this week we are back over 50 hospitalizations - and that doesn't count the cases being treated at home. But here we are again, approaching the Advent Season and the end of the liturgical year - the First Sunday in Advent marking the Liturgical New Year.

I like to remind everyone that Advent Season is NOT the Christmas Season too. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation - even a time of penance - as we get ready for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than waiting for Advent to begin this year, I thought I would start the discussion of various Advent traditions - and ask what YOU do with your family for Advent - so please comment below! 

Do you use an Advent wreath? Does yours have 4 or 5 candles? Do you go with the traditional 3 purple and 1 pink - and if 5, the 1 white candles?

How about Advent Calendars?

Or do you do the O Antiphons?

Please share your Advent traditions!

And remember, from the First Sunday of Advent (November 28th, this year) through Christmas Eve - the season is Advent - NOT - Christmas! Consider wishing friends and relatives a "Blessed Advent" in response to "Merry Christmas" this year! It can be an ice-breaker to get into a discussion of what the REAL meaning of Christmas and the Christ Mass. More to follow!

O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel -  (O Emmanuel) - O Antiphon for December 23

English:

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver,

desire of the nations, Savior of all people: Come and set us free, Lord our God.

(December 23)

Latin:

O Emmanuel,

Rex et legifer noster, expectatio gentium, et Salvator earum:veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

The Acrostic

The first letters of the titles, from last to first, appear to form a Latin acrostic, 'Ero cras', meaning 'Tomorrow, I will be [there]', mirroring the theme of the antiphons. This is formed from the first letter of each title – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia.

And the Song You All Know!

The song, O Come, O Come Emmanuel is also based in the O Antiphons!

OK, one more version:

O Rex Gentium

 O Rex Gentium - O King of Nations - O Antiphon for December 22

English:

O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart;

O Keystone of the mighty arch of man:Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

Latin:

O Rex Gentium,

et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

And the sixth "O" ornament on our Jesse Tree:

O Oriens

 O Oriens - O Radiant Dawn - O Antiphon for December 21

English:

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:

Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Latin:

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illuminasedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

And our fifth "O" ornament on the Jesse Tree:

Fourth Sunday in Advent

 It is the FOURTH and LAST Sunday in Advent!

The start of the Christ Mass Season is right around the corner! 

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

As you light the fourth and last candle of the Advent wreath, pray these prayers:

INTROIT Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just (Is. 45). Let the earth be opened, and bud forth a Savior. The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands (Ps. 18:2). Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT Raise up, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us: that, by the help of Thy grace, that which our sins impede may be hastened by Thy merciful forgiveness. Through our Lord.

(Readings from the Extraordinary Rite)

Remember, the BEST way to keep Christ in Christmas is to keep the Mass in Christmas.

O Clavis David

 O Clavis David - O Key of David - O Antiphon - December 20

English:

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.

Latin:

O Clavis David,

et sceptrum domus Israël, qui aperis, et nemo claudit, claudis, et nemo aperuit: veni, et educ vinctumde domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

And the fourth "O" ornament is added to our Jesse Tree:

O Radix Jesse

 O Radix Jesse - O Root of Jesse - December 19th Antiphon

English:

O Root of Jesse,

you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Latin:

O Radix Jesse,

qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

And today, the third "O" ornament on our Jesse Tree:

O Adonai

 December 18 - O Adonai - O Lord

Veni, Veni, Adonai, qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice in maiestate gloriae.

O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times didst give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

And so today, December 18, we add the second "O" ornament to our Jesse Tree:

O Sapientia

 December 17 - The first day of the O Antiphons!

O Sapientia - or O Wisdom marks today.

In our house we setup a "Jesse Tree" and hang an "O" ornament each night.

With the hanging of each ornament - we recite or sing the related verse from "O Come, O Come Emanuel" 

From Wikipedia:

The first letters of the titles, from last to first, appear to form a Latin acrostic which translates to "Tomorrow, I will be [there]", mirroring the theme of the antiphons. Father Saunders wrote, "According to Professor Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one - Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia - the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, "Tomorrow, I will come". Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, Tomorrow, I will come. So the O Antiphons not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

Sing with your family:
O come, o come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

CHORUS: 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!


O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily,
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.

CHORUS: 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!