That Christmas Feeling
I’m not sure I’m ready for Advent to be over, yet. That seems strange to say, or even feel. But I love Advent’s sense of expectation, of hope, of breathless desire. Moreover, I feel like I’m not ready for Christmas to be here. Not everything is ready at home, I haven’t made things right with … Read more
O Emmanuel (December 23)
O EMMANUEL, our ruler and lawgiver, the expectation and savior of the nations: Come and set us free, O Lord our God. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O Rex Gentium (December 22)
O RULER OF THE GENTILES, their treasure and the cornerstone that binds them in one: Come and save those whom you formed from the dust. O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall … Read more
O Oriens (December 21)
O DAWN from on high, splendor of God’s light and sun of justice: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death. O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel … Read more
O Clavis David (December 20)
O KEY OF DAVID and scepter of Israel: You open and no one shall shut; you shut and no one shall open. Come and release from the prison house those who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death. O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home. The captives from … Read more
O Radix Jesse (December 19)
O ROOT OF JESSE: You stand as a signal before your people. Monarchs close their mouths because of you; to you all nations shall bow. Come and deliver us without delay. O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call. … Read more
O Adonai (December 18)
O ADONAI, leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and at Sinai gave him the Law. Come and redeem us by your outstretched arm. O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times once gave the law in cloud … Read more
O Sapientia (December 17)
O WISDOM, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end of the earth to the other: You order all things well with strength and gentleness. Come and teach us the way of knowledge. O come, thou wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the … Read more
