Photo: Peter Valdes-Dapena, 2012, Sam's Point Preserve, Cragsmoor, N.Y.
The New York City Fellowship invites you to:
(even if you don't live near Central Park's Bethesda Fountain)
(even if you don't live near Central Park's Bethesda Fountain)
Pray the O Antiphons
The O Antiphons are traditionally said before and after the Magnificat during Evening Prayer (Vespers), in the days leading up to Christmas, from the 17th through the 23rd of December. Dating back to about the sixth century, the O Antiphons became an important tradition for the Octave before Christmas in monastic communities throughout Europe. Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, based in the prophecy of Isaiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles. Each ends with a petition for God's people and the cry for him to "Come." The first letter of each title forms an acrostic, which reads, in reverse order: "ERO CRAS," or "Tomorrow, I will come." The last antiphon is the most familiar, forming the basis for the hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
Please join us for seven nights in saying these beautiful, ancient antiphons that praise Christ and look forward to His coming among us. If you only have time in the morning, consider using the Magnificat as your Old Testament Canticle with the O Antiphons before and after, or you might use the O Antiphons as independent sources of meditation.
The O Antiphons are traditionally said before and after the Magnificat during Evening Prayer (Vespers), in the days leading up to Christmas, from the 17th through the 23rd of December. Dating back to about the sixth century, the O Antiphons became an important tradition for the Octave before Christmas in monastic communities throughout Europe. Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, based in the prophecy of Isaiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles. Each ends with a petition for God's people and the cry for him to "Come." The first letter of each title forms an acrostic, which reads, in reverse order: "ERO CRAS," or "Tomorrow, I will come." The last antiphon is the most familiar, forming the basis for the hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
Please join us for seven nights in saying these beautiful, ancient antiphons that praise Christ and look forward to His coming among us. If you only have time in the morning, consider using the Magnificat as your Old Testament Canticle with the O Antiphons before and after, or you might use the O Antiphons as independent sources of meditation.
Dec. 17
O Sapientia, O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Dec. 18
O Adonai, O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai gave him your Law. Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.
Dec. 19
O Radix Jesse, O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay.
Dec. 20
O Clavis David, O Key of David, Scepter of the House of Israel, you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens. Come, and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Dec. 21
O Oriens, O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice, Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
Dec. 22
O Rex Gentium, O King of the Gentiles, Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom you fashion out of clay.
Dec. 23
O Emmanuel, O Emmanuel, Our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord Our God.
Capital O: fromoldbooks.org
Click this link to hear our Episcopal first order brothers of Saint John the Evangelist's beautiful meditations and singing of the O Antiphons: http://ssje.org/ssje/antiphon/
Thanking them for this lovely resource!
Thanking them for this lovely resource!
Bishop Kameeta's Magnificat
Bishop Zephania Kameeta (Evangelical Lutheran Church), Namibia
Today I look into my own heart
and all around me, and I sing the song of Mary.
My life praises the Lord my God, who is setting me free.
God has remembered me, in my humiliation and distress!
From now on, those who rejected and ignored me
will see me and call me happy,
because of the great things God is doing in my humble life.
God's name is completely different
from the other names in this world;
from one generation to another
God was on the side of the oppressed.
As on the day of the Exodus, God is stretching out a mighty arm
to scatter the oppressors withal their evil plans.
God has brought down mighty kings from their thrones
and has lifted up the despised;
and so God will do today.
God has filled the exploited with good things,
and sent the exploiters away with empty hands;
and so God will do today.
God's promise to our mothers and fathers
remains new and fresh to this day.
Therefore the hope for liberation which is burning in me
will not be extinguished.
God will remember me, here now and beyond the grave.
and all around me, and I sing the song of Mary.
My life praises the Lord my God, who is setting me free.
God has remembered me, in my humiliation and distress!
From now on, those who rejected and ignored me
will see me and call me happy,
because of the great things God is doing in my humble life.
God's name is completely different
from the other names in this world;
from one generation to another
God was on the side of the oppressed.
As on the day of the Exodus, God is stretching out a mighty arm
to scatter the oppressors withal their evil plans.
God has brought down mighty kings from their thrones
and has lifted up the despised;
and so God will do today.
God has filled the exploited with good things,
and sent the exploiters away with empty hands;
and so God will do today.
God's promise to our mothers and fathers
remains new and fresh to this day.
Therefore the hope for liberation which is burning in me
will not be extinguished.
God will remember me, here now and beyond the grave.
And do share this video from our friends at Advent Conspiracy:
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