In Christmas Quiet
In the annual hustle and bustle of Christmas we often forget the reason we celebrate. It’s not that we really forget, it’s just that Jesus gets crowded out of His own birthday in spite of our best efforts. This time of year, its harder than usual to find that quiet time needed to connect with God and soothe our tangled souls.
This year, a friend pointed several of us in our Bible Study to Lectio 365. If you haven’t heard of it, there is an app where you can download morning and evening devotionals. Lectio is a form of a repetition way of worshipping.
O Antiphons
If you have never heard of the O Antiphons, don’t feel alone, most of us haven’t. I think these devotions have gone the way of the ancient paths most of us have collectively forgotten. But maybe it is time that we reconsider these as we anticipate the coming celebration of our Savior.
In Lectio 365, they described the O Antiphons as seven ancient songs of the Church traditionally sung on the final seven days of Advent. Each O Antiphon exalts who Emmanuel is. As I, and my friends, have been listening and worshipping through the songs and the devotions, the full meaning of Christmas has deepened in us.
Alongside the O Antiphons, we have been guided through the Old Testament prophets as they gave advanced notice of Emmanuel to come and on to the Gospel of Luke and how it unfolded for us in all time and eternity.
Emmanuel – God with us – has come.
O Antiphons – The Names of Emmanuel
Antiphon #1 – O, Wisdom, come!
Antiphon #2 – O, Lord, come!
Antiphon #3 – O, Root of Jesse, come!
Antiphon #4 – O, Key of David, come!
Antiphon #5 – O, Morning Star, come!
Antiphon #6 – O, King of Nations, come!
Antiphon #7 – Oh, Emmanuel, come!
A Blessed Christmas to you as Emmanuel dwells with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zshzkkD-NYA&list=RDdraHA_9MS18&index=13
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