December 2016 - Page 3 of 5 - Shepherd of Faith

O Clavis David

This morning I simply want to share the words of one of my favorite hymns. St. Augustine often said he who sings prays twice! Here it goes:

This day God gives me strength of high heaven,

Sun and moon shining, flame in my hearth,

Flashing of lightning, wind in its swiftness,

Deeps of the ocean, firmness of earth.

This day God sends me strength as my steersman,

Might to uphold me, Wisdom as guide.

Your eyes are watchful, your ears are listening,

Your lips are speaking, friend at my side.

God’s way is my way, God’s shield is round me,

God’s host defends me, saving from ill.

Angels of heaven, drive from me always

All that would harm me, stand by me still.

Rising I thank you, Mighty and strong one,

King of creation, giver of rest,

Firmly confessing threeness of persons,

Oneness of Godhead, Trinity blessed!

This is a good song to sing in the morning to welcome the day. Powerful words! Here I share a video – they sing it differently than I’m used to but beautifully done. Enjoy and God bless you!

O Adonai

O Adonai – O Lord! It’s one week before Christmas, one week before the coming of Christ. The anticipation is building. The O Antiphons this week manage to intensify the anticipation. I wrote about the O Antiphons last year but it bears repeating.

The O Antiphons are antiphons that are recited at evening prayer (part of the liturgy of the hours) during the octave leading to Christmas. Therefore, it starts on December 17 and goes through December 23. Each antiphon highlights a title of the Messiah and refers to the prophecy of Isaiah.

The reason I love the idea of reciting the O Antiphons is because it really forces me to focus on the coming of the Messiah on Christmas. If I’ve been distracted during the previous three weeks of Advent, the antiphons are like the brakes in my life. They are a sign for me to slow down, think, be present and mindful of the important event about the transpire.

When using the O Antiphons each day, we invoke the name of the Lord and await His response with hopeful anticipation. There are many great websites that provide special prayers to complement the Antiphon of the day. It’s a nice activity to do in the evening with the whole family.

Here are the antiphons for each day:

December 17 – O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

December 18 – O Adonai (O Lord)

December 19 – O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

December 20 – O Clavis David (O Key of David)

December 21 – O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn)

December 22 – O Rex Gentium (O King of all the nations)

December 23 – O Emmanuel (O God with us)

December 24 – because the antiphons are said during evening prayer, no antiphon is said on this day because the timing of evening prayer on this day is considered the Christmas Vigil, which counts as Christmas and is the day the Lord actually comes.

Finally, when you take all the highlighted letters in reverse you get the words ERO CRAS – which mean Tomorrow, I will come! Christ’s response to our calling all week.