Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas

THE MANGER AT BETHLEHEM.

Happy Christmas to my readers. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy all the blessings that this Christmastide has to offer.

So what might this Christmastide got to offer you?  Opportunity.

Give to your enemy forgiveness,

To your opponent tolerance,

To your friend your heart,

To all people charity,

To every child a good example,

and to yourself—respect.

Other options to explore are outlined in this poem:

This Christmas, mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a letter.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

Apologise.

Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first of someone else.

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love and then speak it again.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION.

We may not be able to do all of this during the next 12 days of Christmastide, but we do have all the year to explore the possibilities, since Emmanuel means God with us.  However, there are 22 lines in this poem.  We could 

• take the sentiment and apply each line for a week.  
• add 4 lines of your own to the poem. This would make half the year.  
• start again for the remainder of the year.  Imagine the growth in us by next Christmas.!!! 
•  Alternatively, you could take each line for a month, making 11 months and consolidate it in December.  After all, it does take 21 days to start to change a habit. The important thing of course is to start.

I remember a family who used to discuss and pledge to each other how they could grow together at Christmas Day celebration.  Each member would nominate an area of growth they intend to work on for the following year. Then as a family, they would collect their ideas and write it so that all family members had a copy.  Then they would also nominate one area for the family to work on together.  This related to how they were with each other during the year.  

Throughout the year, they would support each other in these areas, both as individuals in the family and as a family. They used to make their goals simple enough to be realised and yet, challenging enough to encourage personal and family growth.

Perhaps it might be something you might to add to the tradition of your family at Christmas.

So now that the cash registers are quiet and the shops are closed, take some time today to think of the wonderment of the Incarnation of Jesus- God coming to our world as a baby- one like us in all things except sin.

How will Jesus be born again in YOUR life this Christmastide?

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Collects Year A

COLLECT SERIES

 

THE MANGER AT BETHLEHEM.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Collects Year A

The Church provides texts for Christmas Vigil, Midnight and Christmas Day.  So, I have provided the Collects texts for these Masses with some reflection questions. 

Collect for Christmas Eve:

O God, who gladdens us year by year,

as we await in hope for our redemption,

grant that, just as we joyfully welcome our Redeemer,

we may also merit to face him confidently

when he comes again as our judge.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1.Am I gladdened more this year than previous years about my faith?  If not, why might that be?
2. What might I do this coming year to increase my gladness and hope in my redemption?
3. How might the hope of Advent be carried forward into the Christmas season?
4. How do I welcome my Redeemer?
5. What gift will I give to Jesus at the crib this year?
6. Will you experience Jesus as a merciful judge in Reconciliation this Christmastide?
7. How do I feel about meeting Jesus as my judge? Can I meet Him confidently?

MASS DURING THE NIGHT

O God who has made this most sacred night

radiant of the splendour of the true light

grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of His light on earth,

may also delight in His gladness in heaven.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1.  What makes this night so sacred? Reflect on this sacredness and the meaning of Christmas.
2. How can I reflect the radiance of the splendour of God as a child of God in my life?
3. Why do you think that the Collect refers to light at this time when the symbol of Easter is Christ as light?  What is the connection?
4. What is my image/thoughts about Heaven and meeting Christ face to face?

MASS AT DAWN

COLLECT

Grant we pray almighty God,

that as we are bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word

the light of faith, which illumines our minds

may also shine through in our deeds.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1. What does it mean to me to be bathed in the new radiance of Your Incarnate Word?
2. How might this bathing be shown in my life?
3. What fogs/darkness of my mind need the light of faith?
4.  What images come to mind with the phrases of bathed, light, shine. How might I connect them in my life?
5.  What deed/s might I engage in this Christmastide which reflects the message of Christmas?

MASS DURING THE DAY

COLLECT

O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature,

and still more wonderfully restored it,

grant we pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ,

who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1. Many people have self-esteem issues of one kind of another.  Pray for these people at Christmas that they come to know their dignity before God.
2. How do I feel about my dignity in being a child of God?
3. How might I treasure my dignity as a child of God more fully in my life?
4. Embrace the opportunity this Christmas to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation where Christ, through the priest, restores our dignity as children of God?
5. Dwell on the awesome thought of God becoming a baby before the crib- to share in our humanity.

May all my readers be blessed by God this Christmas.

Collect for 4th Sunday of Advent

COLLECT SERIES 

THE MASS: COLLECT SERIES ICON.

COLLECT

The Collect for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year A reads as follows:

Pour forth we beseech you O Lord your grace into our hearts

 that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son 

was made known by the message of an Angel 

may by this passion and cross 

be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.

We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ

who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit, 

one God for ever and ever.

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1. What are the graces that I long for from the Lord?
2. What message of the angel do I bring to other people?
3. How can I reflect during this week on the Incarnation of Christ?
4. Why do you think this familiar prayer is chosen for this 4th Sunday of Advent?
5. How will you make the most of this final week of Advent spiritually?

GOSPEL REFLECTION
I don't know whether it is this time of the year, but I love to hear todays Gospel from Matthew.  There is always something comforting and reassuring to me about Joseph's obedience to the angel. What if he had wiped it off and said '' oh it is just a dream'' or worse still had forgotten the dream when he woke up.   Thankfully, Joseph was tuned in to God, and through his dream was able to communicate what Joseph he had to do, and he obeyed the angel. He had enough faith to realise that the angel's message was from God.

God can communicate with us awake or asleep, and like Joseph, when the message is more than our conscious could bear, can communicate to us in our subconscious- when we are relaxed and receptive to Him.  However, Joseph made a conscious decision to follow the angel's message.  The scripture says '' He got up.....''  .

From a psychological standpoint, we all do dream.  Whether we remember our dreams or not is another matter. God is always longing to communicate with us and is always kind because He knows how much we can bear.  However, we need to be relaxed and receptive to His message to us, whether awake or asleep.

The other aspect of Joseph's response was he acted upon the message.  He obeyed, because in his heart he knew it was a message from God.  Can we say the same?  Do we act upon the messages we receive in many forms knowing that they are from God? It is all very well to listen and be receptive to the message- this is a very important first step.  However, if that is all it is, a first step and it goes nowhere then, it remains a message that God will provide in another form.  God does not give up with us.   However, why not listen receptively whether awake or asleep and answer God with our obedience with the faith of Joseph.

So as we prepare for Christmas during this final week of Advent,  we  may wish to revise our spiritual plans that we set up at the beginning of Advent and see how we are travelling.  We may also wish to consider our receptivity and obedience to God in our lives. 

What must we do this week to become more receptive to God and to obey His word to us?

The O Antiphons

O ANTIPHONS OF ADVENT.

 

ADVENT WREATH- SYMBOL OF ADVENT.

An Antiphon is a song, prayer or psalm chanted in responsorial fashion. 

The O Antiphons, also known as ‘’The great Os’’ are Magnificat antiphons used at Vespers of the last seven days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. They are also used as the alleluia verses on the same days in the Catholic Mass.  The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

Hear how the seven O Antiphons of Advent summarize the hopes of the people in the old Testament who waiting for the coming of the Messiah:

• O Come O Wisdom
• O Come O Lord of Might
• O Come O Rod of Jesse's Stem
• O Come O Key of David,
• O Come O Dayspring,
• O Come Desire of Nations,
• O Come O Emmanuel ( God with us).

" O Come O Wisdom..." comes from Book of Sirach chapter 24, which speaks of Wisdom as coming from God and foreshadowing the Divine Word : Jesus.

" O Come O Lord of Might..."'  The Messiah would be the powerful Lord.  In previous times this powerful Lord was hidden but now his power and his person will be seen clearly.

''O Come O Rod of Jesse's Stem..."This refers to Jesus' relationship to David.  Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, was a descendent of the line of David.

'' O come O Key of David..." David and his descendants Joseph and Jesus would hold the key that would unlock heaven.

''O come O Dayspring...'' The Messiah will be like the dawn bringing the hope of a new day.  even death will not stand in his way.

'' O come O Desire of Nations..."' The Messiah will not be Saviour just for the house of Israel, but all nations will be ruled by this prince of Peace.

'' O come O Emmanuel." Emmanuel means 'God-with-us "and is a term that applied to Jesus in the gospel (Mt 1:23).

ORIGIN OF O ANTIPHONS.

The exact origin of the ‘’O Antiphons’’ is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. The usage of the O Antiphons was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, Keep your O and The Great O Antiphons were common parlance. One may thereby conclude that in some fashion the O Antiphons have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church.

IMPORTANCE OF THE O ANTIPHONS.

The importance of O Antiphons is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. Let’s now look at each antiphon with just a sample of Isaiah’s related prophecies :

O Sapientia: O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. Isaiah had prophesied, the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2-3), and Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom. (Isaiah 28:29).

O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Isaiah had prophesied, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the lands afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (Isaiah 11:4-5); and Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22).

O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. Isaiah had prophesied, But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. (Isaiah 11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open. (Isaiah 22:22), and His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. (Isaiah 9:6).

O Oriens: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown. (Isaiah 9:1).

O Rex Gentium: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. Isaiah had prophesied, For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counsellor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5), and He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. (Isaiah 2:4) .

O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Saviour of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. Isaiah had prophesied, The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). Remember Emmanuel means God is with us.

According to Professor Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one - Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia - the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, Tomorrow, I will come. Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, Tomorrow, I will come.

So, the O Antiphons not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

Collect for 3rd Sunday of Advent

COLLECT SERIES.

THE MASS : COLLECT SERIES ICON.

COLLECT

The Collect for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A reads as follows:

O God who see how your people

faithfully await for the feast of the Lord's Nativity

enable us we pray to attain the joys of so great a salvation

and to celebrate them always

with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.

We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ

who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

ADVENT WREATH.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1. How will I faithfully wait for the Lord's Nativity?

2. What are the joys of so great a salvation- what does this mean to me?

3.How do I celebrate these joys always?

4. What does solemn worship mean to me?

5 What might glad rejoicing be like to me?

6. What will I do this week to maintain a spirit of waiting with joyful expectation?

Decluttering part 3

You will probably want to read part 1 and 2 of the decluttering posts before reading this one as this relates to these posts.

Well I have been in my unit 14 months now.  I love my unit and I have done some renovation and have fun in the process.

However I brought way too much stuff with me and there were so many boxes that ended up in the garage.  Earlier this year, I parked my car out on the street- the only night I have done it since I have been here.  Sadly my car of 18 years was crashed into by a driver who did not stop.  I was woken next morning to policemen knocking on my door to tell me about my car. Anyway, I have gone off the point.  I ended up having to buy a new car. 

So, then there is the story of the boxes in the garage.  Decluttering part 3 started in earnest.  One box a day.  Some days I became a little lazy and ended up having to more by the end of the week.  I ordered a hard rubbish collection and then cancelled it and then a couple of months later ordered another one.  This time, I decided to keep the date of the hard rubbish.  So, I was down to the final week.  I worked hard during that week sorting out boxes and boxes- well over 60 of them.  Gradually I started to see the light of day to the garage door and more floor space.  This moved me on to see more of it.  It almost became addictive!!!! I felt like I was on a mission and I had so much energy that I had not had in ages whilst I was doing it.  Afterwards, I was sore with stiff muscles but the motivation to finish spurred me on.

Finally, I had gone through all the boxes and was left with about 7-10 boxes that I really wanted to keep.  Seeing that currently my back of the garage is my study, I cannot get my car in the garage yet- but hopefully soon I will be able to get at least half in.  That is progress.

Anyway, I just want to share this so that if anyone is struggling with the same difficulties, I can say that the biggest and hardest thing is to start.  I found one box a day was enough when dealing with emotional baggage of these boxes.  It takes time but progress is made every day even if it does not feel like it. Just be persistent and keep going.

It can be like that with our spiritual lives too.  Progress is made each day when we don't give into a temptation or when we conquer a sin/weakness that we seem prone to continue.  Just start to change a habit/sin and thank God for the change that day.  Gratitude helps build progress.  Hopefully you will feel like I do with my garage when you see the light of day of your area and/or the floor gives you more space.!!!

Just start and thank God for the progress.

Understanding Advent Liturgical Readings

UNDERSTANDING ADVENT LITURGICAL READINGS.

ADVENT WREATH= SYMBOL OF ADVENT.

Do you feel you would like to read the Scripture for the day but don't quite understand the structure and then feel you are moving all over the place without an anchor?

The Scripture in Advent are carefully planned both for Sundays and Weekdays.

The Sunday themes move from Second Coming of Christ on the first Sunday of Advent, to John the Baptist preparing for the coming of Jesus on the Second and Third Sundays. On the fourth Sunday, the Gospel of Matthew or Luke announces the conception of Jesus and Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, (John the Baptist's mother).

DAYS 1-9 OF ADVENT

During the first 9 days of Advent during the week, the first reading for the Eucharistic liturgy comes from the book of the prophet Isaiah.  These readings express the compassion of God for His people and the longing of the people for messianic age. Do we have that same longing?

DAY 10 ONWARD.

After the Thursday of the second week of Advent, the gospel readings speak of John the Baptist whilst the first readings are either from Isaiah or a reading compatible with the gospel. 

From December 17-24, the readings are taken from Matthew and Luke.  These present the events that led up to the birth of Jesus. Enter into these as deeply as you can to help you keep your spiritual focus in preparation as you prepare the presents, decorations, parties and food.

OUR HOLY SEASON OF ADVENT

Let us be like our forebears and enter into the unbroken tradition of those who prayed and waited for the faithful God to bless his people with a Messiah.

Reading part of the Scripture of the day or all of it will help you journey through this holy season and help you prepare for the coming of Christ- the Word made flesh at Christmas.