Waiting for His Coming
One time-honored Advent tradition is the praying of the O Antiphons. The O Antiphons use titles of the Messiah and verses from the Old Testament to express our longing for His coming. The traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a poetic translation of these antiphons. On December 17-23, the special antiphons are […]
Prepare for Christ’s Birthday!
Advent is such a special time of year when we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, December 25. The most important way to prepare is spiritually! There are special traditions connected with the season of Advent, such as the Jesse Tree, the Advent Wreath, the O Antiphons, and the […]
O Emmanuel
“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
Defending Advent to the Very Last Day
Did you hear that? Yes, that. It’s Christmas music (or muzak, depending on your auditory sensibilities) and its being pushed through every shopping, media, and public speaker directed at exciting every dendrite that leads into our sugar candy-craved inner selves. But early December is not Christmas, nor are hijacked selling-jingles really about the Christ child. […]
The O Antiphons
Courtesy of the Fisheaters comes this great refresher on the venerable O Antiphons! The seven “O Antiphons” (also called the “Greater Antiphons” or “Major Antiphons”) are prayers that come from the Breviary’s Vespers during the Octave before Christmas Eve, a time which is called the “Golden Nights.” Each Antiphon begins with “O” and addresses Jesus […]