Wow! You can tell that our Savior is near! You can feel the anticipation of Jesus’ coming! There is a heightened sense of excitement!
I love it! To help us on our journey to Christmas, the season of Advent climaxes with the addition of the O Antiphons.
The O Antiphons are best known from the song “O Come, O Come ,Emmanuel” and are the antiphons that are recited during Vespers (evening prayer) of the Liturgy of the Hours before Christmas (December 17-23).
The importance of the O Antiphons is twofold: each of them highlights a title for the Messiah and each refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. It is believed that Benedictine monks (Leave it to the good ol’ Benedictines!) arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title, and then takes the first letter of each one of the next ones – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia – the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning Tomorrow, I will come.
I have to admit that my Advent did not start out well —I was just beginning to grieve the loss of my Grandma and Dad. It makes me ever more grateful for these last days that are full of extraordinary expectancy and eagerness. So, enjoy these last days of Advent…I know I am! He’s coming!
Sister Lisa Maurer
Sister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleep Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery in 2007, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa Made her Perpetual Monastic Profession in July ll, 2012. Her first ministry as a Benedictine Sister was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is Director of Mission Integration for the Benedictine Health System.