Chapter I: Advent - Christmas Eve

 

Tonight is the night of Christ's birth. Traditionally, it has been observed with a vigil, at least through midnight. It is a hopeful, celebratory time, comparable to the moments (or hours) of a waiting family while a new mommy is in labour. Indeed, that is an excellent comparison, for that is exactly what we commemorate on this eve.

Chapter I: Advent - The O Antiphones: Morning Star

The Fifth of the Great O Antiphons

Chapter I: Advent - Ember Day II: The Visitation

Today marks the second of the Winter Ember Days.

Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, Zion!
He gives snow like wool,
    and scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can stand before his cold?
           -Psalm 147:12 & 16-17

Chapter I: Advent - The O Antiphones: Shoot of Jesse

The Third of the Great O Antiphons

Chapter I: Advent – The Candle of Joy

The Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior
For he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
As he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring forever.

                                                -Luke 1:46-55 (WEB)

I'm posting this a few days late because the past few days have been filled with whirlwind travel. As I'm finally settling in for 10 days with family for Christmas, I'm getting a moment to write about my reflection on last Sunday's Advent Candle.

The church I attended Sunday did not have an Advent Wreath, but I thought their service was still very appropriate for the day. The main 'Advent' event was the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The sermon was on Hebrews, and the pastor pointed out how much of the Old Testament role of Priest Christ fulfills. The thing is, this role is still being completed by Our Lord.