Theological musings of an amateur
As events throw a Church body into upheaval, people inevitably start leaving the congregation. No different with our Church body which, as I posted here, is going through some difficult transitions right now. Considering I had some recent conversations with several brothers that are either contemplating leaving or have already made the, undoubtedly difficult, decision to leave, I started to think about what the Scriptures may have to say about leaving a church fellowship.
A reaction to the events at our Church body and what I feel the Scriptures are teaching us how we should respond.
As events happen in a Church body, people will respond differently. That is normal since we are all different. However as people who call ourselves Christian, are there more appropriate ways to respond than others ? Does the Scripture teach us anything on how we should respond ? These are my musings I wrote down several weeks ago as quite significant events happened at our Church. After much prayer, I finally decided to post this. Perhaps it helps some people work through the grieving and coping process
As I wrote about the history of the Octave and the O Anitphons over the last few days, I decided to continue with some more historical Christian musing and articles. Perhaps we’ll even use a liturgical calendar to go through the years and explore some of the older traditions within our faith.
Which, right after Christmas, brings us to the 12 days of Christmas.
Several people I have talked to have always thoughts the 12 days of Christmas lead up to Christmas, with more and more gifts showing up until the final day of Christmas. Not so history teaches us. The 12 days of Christmas traditionally are the 12 days following Christmas until the day of the Epiphany on January 6th. I’ll write an article about that tradition when we get there, but first let’s explore the 12 days of Christmas and the well known song that goes with it.
Today’s and the final O antiphon of the Octave cycle, recited on December 23rd is called “O Emmanuel”.
Latin:
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
English:
O Emmanuel, King and lawgiver for us,
the hope of the people and Saviour of them:
Come to our salvation, Lord, our God.
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 22nd is called “O Rex Gentium”.
Latin:
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.
English:
O King of the people, and the desire of them,
And stone of the corner, who makes multiples one
Come and save men,
Whom from clay you formed.
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 21st is called “O Oriens”.
Latin:
O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
English:
O Rising Sun,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 20th, is called “O Clavix”.
Latin:
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, et umbra mortis.
English:
O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
who opens, and no one shuts;
who shuts, and no one opens:
Come and lead out the restrained from the house of prison|
those dwelling in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 19th, is called “O Radix”.
Latin:
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
English:
Oh root of Jesse, who stands as a sign for the people
over whom kings hold their speech
whom the people entreat earnestly
come to our salvation, for nothing delay.
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 18th, is called “O Adonai”.
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.
English
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who to Moses in the flames of the burning bush appeared,
and to him in Sinai the law provided:
Come and redeem us with with arms outstretched
Today’s antiphon, recited on December 17th, is called “O Sapientia”.
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
Oh wisdom, who out of the mouth of the Most High comes,
reaching from this end to the end,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
come and teach our ways of prudence Read the rest of this entry »
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