Wednesday, Advent 1: Humility

The Psalms of Advent You are invited to light a candle and join me in our final reflection on this particular Psalm of Advent, Psalm 124.  Please sit with these verses: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was onContinueContinue reading “Wednesday, Advent 1: Humility”

Tuesday, Advent 1:  Waiting and Watching

The Psalms of Advent, November 29, 2022 An interesting, and perhaps intentional, aspect about the Psalms of Advent is that there are really only seven of them appointed for this season of preparation.  When I first considered this blog, I assumed there would be a different psalm every day, but not so, according to theContinueContinue reading “Tuesday, Advent 1:  Waiting and Watching”

Sunday, Advent 1: Peace

The Psalms of Advent I invite you to light a candle and join me on this first Sunday of Advent, as we wait with the psalms and listen for a word to guide us during this dark season of winter.  We begin with the psalm appointed for today, Psalm 122, described as a “pilgrimage song,”ContinueContinue reading “Sunday, Advent 1: Peace”

The Psalms of Advent

“The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms . . .”  George Santayana The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament of the Bible is a collection of ancient Hebrew poem-songsContinueContinue reading “The Psalms of Advent”

O Antiphons ~ Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the one whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God. Two days before Christmas, in this Advent season of waiting and longing, the seventh, and final, name for the Christ (or Light, or Love, if you prefer) proclaimed in theContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Emmanuel”

O Antiphons ~  King of Nations

O King of Nations, whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and deliver the creature you fashioned from the dust of the earth. Three days before the birth of the Light, in the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the sixth title given toContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~  King of Nations”

O Antiphons ~ Radiant Dawn

O Radiant Dawn, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Four days before the birth of the Light, on this Winter Solstice, in the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the fifthContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Radiant Dawn”

O Antiphons ~ Key of David

O Key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captives from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Five days before the birth of the Light, in the OContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Key of David”

O Antiphons ~ Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings fall silent before you; nations bow down and worship you. O come to deliver us and do not delay. In the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the third title given to the Christ (or Light,ContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Root of Jesse”