I had a very nice Christmas celebration with the family. We went to Christmas Eve Mass at a full St. Gerard, then dad, mom and I came back to the house for some gumbo with Uncle Ricky and his three girls, Kaitlyn, Mary Grace and Ricky Jo. It was nice and low key, but I did miss the visit Santa made at Nanny and Uncle Be's. Hopefully next year I can be there.
Christmas morning we all went to Jacob and Charmin's for the day. Jacob and I constructed JP's new train table, and then JP played with it until he could barely stand up for being so tired. We opened gifts and played board games with Lisa and Brandon and even a couple of Lisa's friends. I fell asleep watching Star Trek, and considering how action-packed that movie is, I must have been really tired.
On the day after Christmas, the whole family went to the funeral of Freddie Housewright's mother. She lived a long, full life, but funerals are always sad. I've been to too many of them this year. It was great to see Uncle Freddie and Aunt Linda and Alison and Brian and their families. Saturday evening we had the Breaux Bridge Couvillions and the Atlanta Couvillions over to mom and dad's house. We all had a nice visit.
Sunday we lazed around and watched the Saints and Colts lose. Cara and I decided to go see Sherlock Holmes. It was definitely re-imagined, but it was very good.
Who knows what today will bring . . . .
28 December 2009
23 December 2009
O Emmanuel
We have reached the final day of the the O Antiphons. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we celebrate the arrival of our Savior. Today, for the last day of Advent, we cry out for his arrival one last time. The O Antiphon for December 23, in Latin:
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
Before giving you the translation, I'll let you know why I have shared the Latin with you. The first letters of each of the titles of the Messiah, in reverse order, are E(mmanuel), R(ex), O(riens), C(lavis), R(adix), A(donai), and S(apientiae). In Latin, "Ero cras" translates to "I will be (here) tomorrow." A message within a message!
The translation for today's antiphon:
O Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior; come to save us, O Lord our God.
As you may know, Emmanuel translates to "God with us." In that word, we express the true meaning of Christmas, and of our whole faith -- that God not only sent us His Son, but truly sent us Himself, to live among us and show us the way to salvation. Christ is with us! Alleluia! Alleluia!
My prayer for you today and for your celebration of Christmas is that you rejoice in the ways God is present in your life everyday. I hope you are surrounded by loved ones in your celebrations.
O come, o come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Merry Christmas!
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
Before giving you the translation, I'll let you know why I have shared the Latin with you. The first letters of each of the titles of the Messiah, in reverse order, are E(mmanuel), R(ex), O(riens), C(lavis), R(adix), A(donai), and S(apientiae). In Latin, "Ero cras" translates to "I will be (here) tomorrow." A message within a message!
The translation for today's antiphon:
O Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior; come to save us, O Lord our God.
As you may know, Emmanuel translates to "God with us." In that word, we express the true meaning of Christmas, and of our whole faith -- that God not only sent us His Son, but truly sent us Himself, to live among us and show us the way to salvation. Christ is with us! Alleluia! Alleluia!
My prayer for you today and for your celebration of Christmas is that you rejoice in the ways God is present in your life everyday. I hope you are surrounded by loved ones in your celebrations.
O come, o come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Merry Christmas!
22 December 2009
O Rex Gentium
Today it hit me. I have to finish up some projects at work, pack, clean up the house, and travel, all in the next 36 hours. There just doesn't seem like enough time to get it all done. I'm gonna have to take my own advice, I suppose, take a deep breath, and just get it done.
Here's the O Antiphon for December 22:
O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
Translated:
O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
Today we have another reference to Christ as the figure who will bring together the Jewish people and the gentiles. This time he comes as our king. As we know, this peace amongst men is an elusive thing in our world even today. But the God who created us sent Jesus Christ to unite each of us to all our brothers and sisters. This Advent season we are reminded of Christ's love for all men and women, and to look within ourselves to see how we can further the unity and love of all mankind.
My prayer for you (and especially for me on this one!) is that during this Christmas season we find a way to turn argument or disharmony into an opportunity to further the love and understanding of God, our Father and Christ, and Christ, our Redeemer.
The relevant verse of O Come O Come Emmanuel really brings this message home today:
O come, Desire of nations, bind,
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace.
Here's the O Antiphon for December 22:
O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
Translated:
O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
Today we have another reference to Christ as the figure who will bring together the Jewish people and the gentiles. This time he comes as our king. As we know, this peace amongst men is an elusive thing in our world even today. But the God who created us sent Jesus Christ to unite each of us to all our brothers and sisters. This Advent season we are reminded of Christ's love for all men and women, and to look within ourselves to see how we can further the unity and love of all mankind.
My prayer for you (and especially for me on this one!) is that during this Christmas season we find a way to turn argument or disharmony into an opportunity to further the love and understanding of God, our Father and Christ, and Christ, our Redeemer.
The relevant verse of O Come O Come Emmanuel really brings this message home today:
O come, Desire of nations, bind,
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace.
21 December 2009
O Oriens
Happy Winter Solstice. I want to again thank you for the kind words you have sent in response to these e-mails. I didn't send Christmas cards -- I hope this is a suitable substitute.
Today is the shortest day of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The O Antiphon for December 21 takes this natural phenomenon into account. In Latin first:
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.
Translated:
O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The word Oriens is also translated sometimes as Dayspring. How appropriate that on this shortest day of the year we are given a prayer calling on the sun that rises in the east to give us light! Light and fire are often used as symbols of Christ in liturgy. Today we are reminded that Christ is coming to illuminate our lives and save us from the darkness of sin and evil and death.
My prayer for you today is that you are able to be a reflection of the light of Christ for those around you who are sad or lonely or in need during this Christmas season, and in doing so fill the darkness in your own life.
Finally, today's verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Today is the shortest day of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The O Antiphon for December 21 takes this natural phenomenon into account. In Latin first:
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.
Translated:
O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The word Oriens is also translated sometimes as Dayspring. How appropriate that on this shortest day of the year we are given a prayer calling on the sun that rises in the east to give us light! Light and fire are often used as symbols of Christ in liturgy. Today we are reminded that Christ is coming to illuminate our lives and save us from the darkness of sin and evil and death.
My prayer for you today is that you are able to be a reflection of the light of Christ for those around you who are sad or lonely or in need during this Christmas season, and in doing so fill the darkness in your own life.
Finally, today's verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
20 December 2009
O Clavis David
Happy Sunday! Christmas is this week. I hope you take a deep breath today before the last few days of zaniness.
You may wonder why I have included the Latin. I promise there is a reason, but Uncle Ken appreciates the chance to brush up on the Latin he learned long, long ago. Here's the O Antiphon for December 20:
O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris.
In English:
O key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens; come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
While it sounds a little grim, the message is important. Christ does something for us that nothing else can. No person, no activity, no amount of wealth, no material thing can fill the role in our life that Christ fills. But what amazing things He does for us! Christ comes to save us from death and eternal damnation.
While the holiday season brings great joy and happiness, it can also remind us of loved ones who aren't with us. My prayer for you today is that in the moments of sadness that inevitably come this Christmas, you are comforted by the promise of Christ's love and the eternal salvation He bought for us on the cross.
To close, the relevant verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
You may wonder why I have included the Latin. I promise there is a reason, but Uncle Ken appreciates the chance to brush up on the Latin he learned long, long ago. Here's the O Antiphon for December 20:
O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris.
In English:
O key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens; come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
While it sounds a little grim, the message is important. Christ does something for us that nothing else can. No person, no activity, no amount of wealth, no material thing can fill the role in our life that Christ fills. But what amazing things He does for us! Christ comes to save us from death and eternal damnation.
While the holiday season brings great joy and happiness, it can also remind us of loved ones who aren't with us. My prayer for you today is that in the moments of sadness that inevitably come this Christmas, you are comforted by the promise of Christ's love and the eternal salvation He bought for us on the cross.
To close, the relevant verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
19 December 2009
O Radix Jesse
I hope this last Saturday before Christmas is not too busy for you. I hope you get a chance to take a deep breath and relax. I hope you get to enjoy the first day of two weeks off from school if you have kids.
My friend Thalia tells me the word Antiphon is Greek, and she would know since she herself is a beautiful Greek woman and a dear friend from my college days at DePaul in Chicago.
On to today's O Antiphon! First, as usual, in Latin:
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.
Radishes? What's that got to do with Advent? OK, here's the translation:
O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not.
The thing I like about poetry and song is that it can say a lot in just a few words. This brief antiphon is packed with imagery of what the Christ child means to those of waiting for his birth at Christmas. Jesse, of course, is David's father, and the ancestor of Jesus. But Christ is also the root, the foundation of our lives, here on earth, today. Christ stands as a banner before all people. In His presence the most powerful rulers are silent. Even the enemies of God's people will recognize Christ and come to worship Him. So, HURRY UP AND GET HERE!
My prayer for you today is that, with all the hustle and bustle of the season, you are able to remain patient and during moments of waiting you are able to take the time to remember that Christ's birth is the reason for the season, and take joy in His coming.
To close, the corresponding verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, O Rod of Jesse free,
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.
My friend Thalia tells me the word Antiphon is Greek, and she would know since she herself is a beautiful Greek woman and a dear friend from my college days at DePaul in Chicago.
On to today's O Antiphon! First, as usual, in Latin:
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.
Radishes? What's that got to do with Advent? OK, here's the translation:
O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not.
The thing I like about poetry and song is that it can say a lot in just a few words. This brief antiphon is packed with imagery of what the Christ child means to those of waiting for his birth at Christmas. Jesse, of course, is David's father, and the ancestor of Jesus. But Christ is also the root, the foundation of our lives, here on earth, today. Christ stands as a banner before all people. In His presence the most powerful rulers are silent. Even the enemies of God's people will recognize Christ and come to worship Him. So, HURRY UP AND GET HERE!
My prayer for you today is that, with all the hustle and bustle of the season, you are able to remain patient and during moments of waiting you are able to take the time to remember that Christ's birth is the reason for the season, and take joy in His coming.
To close, the corresponding verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, O Rod of Jesse free,
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.
18 December 2009
O Adonai
I hope you enjoyed yesterday's e-mail. I appreciate the kind words of thanks from so many of you. Congratulations to Uncle Dayt and Aunt Carolyn up in Maryland for identifying O Come O Come Emmanuel as the hymn that is based on the O Antiphons. The corresponding verse for yesterday's Antiphon:
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily,
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Now on to the O Antiphon for today, December 18. First in Latin:
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
And now a translation:
O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai; come, and redeem us with outstretched arms.
In reading about the O Antiphons, two things struck me about today's prayer. First, the same God who was so powerful that he revealed himself to Moses in fire and from the heavens on Mt. Sinai humbled himself to become a babe in a manger. Second, the choice of words at the end of the prayer is surely no accident, and "outstretched arms" foreshadows Christ's death on the cross to ensure our redemption.
And so, my prayer for us all today is that we may emulate God by practicing the virtue of humility , who sent us his one true Son to earth to redeem us from our sins.
In closing, the relevant verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty, and awe.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily,
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Now on to the O Antiphon for today, December 18. First in Latin:
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
And now a translation:
O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai; come, and redeem us with outstretched arms.
In reading about the O Antiphons, two things struck me about today's prayer. First, the same God who was so powerful that he revealed himself to Moses in fire and from the heavens on Mt. Sinai humbled himself to become a babe in a manger. Second, the choice of words at the end of the prayer is surely no accident, and "outstretched arms" foreshadows Christ's death on the cross to ensure our redemption.
And so, my prayer for us all today is that we may emulate God by practicing the virtue of humility , who sent us his one true Son to earth to redeem us from our sins.
In closing, the relevant verse from O Come O Come Emmanuel:
O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty, and awe.
17 December 2009
O Sapientia
I hope this Advent season finds you successfully preparing for Christmas. We all prepare for Christmas by shopping and partying and traveling and eating great food. I hope you have also had a chance during the Advent season to prepare in a spiritual sense as well for the joy of Christ's arrival on Christmas day. To that end, I offer you the O Antiphons, ancient prayers that are over 1300 years old. This series of seven prayers begins today and ends on December 23. Here is today's Antiphon:
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodidisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
For those among you whose Latin is rusty, here's a translation:
O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly; come, and teach us the way of prudence.
You may recognize the gist of this prayer from a verse in a common Christmas hymn that is based on the O Antiphons. I'll tell you what it is tomorrow. Until then, my prayer for today is that during this season of preparation, in which we are all very busy running to and fro, you take an opportunity to reflect on the wisdom that Christ showed us during his time on earth.
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodidisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
For those among you whose Latin is rusty, here's a translation:
O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly; come, and teach us the way of prudence.
You may recognize the gist of this prayer from a verse in a common Christmas hymn that is based on the O Antiphons. I'll tell you what it is tomorrow. Until then, my prayer for today is that during this season of preparation, in which we are all very busy running to and fro, you take an opportunity to reflect on the wisdom that Christ showed us during his time on earth.
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