Fourth week of Advent

The O Antiphons shape the Church’s liturgy in the days leading up to Christmas. The selections of scripture for Mass during these few days and the choice of antiphon for each day’s Gospel Acclamation, brings to mind the expected birth of Christ in Bethlehem. It’s worth reading more about these beautiful antiphons from at least the 8th century. Even better to sing them.

Thinking Faith website explains the O Antiphons HERE

The O Antiphons of Advent with simple English translations HERE

Readings

Micah 5: 1-4a

He shall be peace.

Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10: 5-10

“Behold, I come to do your will.” … By this “will”, we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Luke 1: 39-45

Elizabeth was astonished…”How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

'Nativity' by Joy Cowley

Look now! It is happening again!

Love like a high spring tide

Is swelling to fullness

And overflowing the banks of our small concerns.

And here again is the star,

That white flame of truth blazing the way for us

Through a desert of tired ways.

Once more comes the music,

Angel song that lifts our hearts

And tunes our ears to the harmony of the universe,

Making us wonder how we ever could have forgotten.

And now the magi within us gathers up gifts of gold and myrrh,

While that other part of ourselves,

The impulsive reckless shepherd, runs helter skelter

With arms outstretched to embrace the wonder of it all.

We have no words to contain our praise.

We ache with awe, we tremble with miracle,

As once again, in the small rough stable of our lives,

Christ is born.

From “Spirit in a strange land: a selection of New Zealand spiritual verse.”

 Ed. Paul Morris, Harry Ricketts and Mike Grimshaw. (2002)