A Prayer for the New Year

Thanks to Christine Sine for sharing this prayer on GodSpace blog...

A new year coming and God is with us

In loving, in caring, in hoping and expecting,

God is with us and never lets us go

God live in us, God live with us, God live through us

God keep us faithful through the days that lie ahead

God keep us caring as we see the pain that fills your world

God keep us serving as we seek to do your will

God live in us, God live with us, God live through us

God keep us loving toward neighbours near and far

God keep us trusting through the uncertainties of life

God keep us sharing from your generous abundance

God live in us, God live with us, God live through us

Amen.

(http://godspace.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/new-years-eve-prayer-for-2010/)

Christmastide

In the liturgical year the Christmas season has just begun and it continues through Epiphany, on January 6. This season is also known as Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas. This Christmas weekend I just started using a new prayer book just published last month, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro. You can also follow the daily prayer liturgies here: http://commonprayer.net/. This book describes the Christmastide season this way…

A Note on Christmas (From: http://commonprayer.net/)

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is not just the title of a fun song but also refers to the twelve-day celebration of the coming of Christ, from his birth, which is observed on December 25, until Epiphany, on January 6. This twelve-day celebration is often marked with the colors gold and white, and dates back to the fourth century. Christmas is short for “Christ’s Mass,” referring to the worship service that marks the birth of Christ. Celebrations during the season include the Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28), when we remember that the joy of Christ’s coming was marked by genocide as Herod fearfully massacred other children in Bethlehem. We can remember that the coming of Christ is about God entering the mess of this world, from the stinky manger to the torturous cross.

I have posted a few Christmastide links on my sidebar. You might also like to check out Christine Sine’s Morning and Evening prayers for the Christmas season…

Christmas Season Morning Prayers...click here.

Christmas Season Evening Prayers...click here.

WMF Argentina Year in Review

Check out our WMF Argentina Year in Review by clicking here...
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/argentina/2010/12/wmf-argentina-year-in-review/

Merry Christmas from Buenos Aires!

Sending all my love to family and friends in California and around the world this Christmas Eve! Thinking of you all and missing you! Today in Buenos Aires it is a tad bit cooler in the low 90’s. But Christmas Day is forecasted to feel like 100. If you haven’t seen my top ten favorite things about a summertime Christmas in Buenos Aires, click here.

Yesterday Silas from our WMF office in Omaha sent this Christmas blessing and reflection from Henri Nouwen. I thought I would share it on my blog today.

A Christmas Blessing from Henri Nouwen

May the Child born today be the center of all your celebration

May He be the source of your joy

May the Child born today shine His light into the recesses

of your stress, sorrow, grief and despair

May He strengthen you and uphold you

May the Child born today dwell within you and go before you

May He shine out from deep within you

That you may be the visible sign of the Child born today

A Christmas Reflection from Nouwen, Christmas at Genesee Abbey
(An excerpt from Genesee Diary, Henri J.M. Nouwen)
I keep thinking about the Christmas scene that Anthony arranged under the altar. This probably is the most meaningful "crib" I have ever seen. Three small wood-carved figures made in India: a poor woman, a poor man, and a small child between them. The carving is simple, nearly primitive. No eyes, no ears, no mouths, just the contours of the faces. The figures are smaller than a human hand - nearly too small to attract attention at all.

But then - a beam of light shines on the three figures and projects large shadows on the wall of the sanctuary. That says it all. The light thrown on the smallness of Mary, Joseph, and the Child projects them as large, hopeful shadows against the walls of our life and our world.

While looking at the intimate scene we already see the first outlines of the majesty and glory they represent. While witnessing the most human of human events, I see the majesty of God appearing on the horizon of my existence. While being moved by the gentleness of these three people, I am already awed by the immense greatness of God's love appearing in my world. Without the radiant beam of light shining into the darkness there is little to be seen. I might just pass by these three simple people and continue to walk in darkness. But everything changes with the light.

Finally, today I posted a prayer liturgy for Christmas on the Prayers and Creeds blog. It is taken from the new prayer book, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro (http://commonprayer.net/). This is a great prayer book for the new year!

To check out the Christmas prayer….click here.

O Antiphons: O Emmanuel

December 23 – O God-who-is-with-us (O Emmanuel)

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

(Original translation from Latin)

O God-who-is-with-us, our coming king, composer of justice,

the nations will gather and bow down to you

who will come to judge the living and the dead.

Come now and save us, our God in the flesh.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Isaiah 7:14; 8:8; Matthew 1:23; Haggai 2:7

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

For a more info on the O Antiphons...click here.

O Antiphons: O King of the Nations

December 22 – O King of the Nations (O Rex Gentium)

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

(Original translation from Latin)

O King of the Gentiles, the object of our desire,

you are the rock on which the church has been built.

You graft your chosen people together in one body.

Come now and save us who are but dirt and clay.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Jeremiah 30.7-11a; Revelation 15:3; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6

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.

(From "O Come O Come Emmanuel")

For a more info on the O Antiphons...click here.

O Antiphons: O Morning Star

December 21 – O Morning Star (O Oriens)

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death.

(Original translation from Latin)

O Morning Star, bright light, eternal dawn, sun of justice,

shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;

be our guide on the path of righteousness.

Come now and show us the light that brings eternal joy.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Numbers 24.15b-17; Luke 1:78, 79; Malachi 4:2

'The antiphon begins: O Daystar, splendor of eternal light and Sun of Justice. The Latin beginning “O Oriens” is translated in several different ways: O Daystar; O Dayspring; O Radiant Dawn [or O Morning Star]. Each of these is rich in meaning and symbolism. In the early days of the Church, the first Christian temples were constructed looking toward the east, the Orient, from Christ came and was expected to return. The sun, a symbol of Christ, rises daily from the east. And from the sun comes light and life. Similarly, it is from Christ, the Sun of Justice, that we Christians receive light and life. Christ, the Oriens from on high, is the light of the world, and it is ultimately in his light hat we shall one day see the radiance and splendor of the Father.”

(Blessings of the Daily: A Monastic Book of Days, Brother Victor-Antoine d’ Avila-Latourrette, p. 24)

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

For a more info on the O Antiphons...click here.

O Antiphon: O Key of David

December 20 – O Key of David (O Clavis David)

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

(Original translation from Latin)

O Messiah, King of the Jews, you have given us the mysteries

of God and taught us the way of your kingdom. When someone

knocks you give to them freely and without reservation.

Come now and free those who are held captive by darkness.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7

For a more info on the O Antiphons...click here.

O Antiphon: O Root of Jesse

December 19 – O Root of Jesse (O Radix Jesse)

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

(Original translation from Latin)

O Root of Jesse, out of you springs up the kingdom of God.

No other kings or nations have the power you possess,

so they keep silent before you and the witness of your kingdom.

Come with your kingdom now and save us.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Isaiah 11.1-4a,10; Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5

Christmas in Buenos Aires...My Top Ten!

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas (in the Southern Hemisphere). Yesterday hit 90 degrees here in Buenos Aires with a much higher humidity “feels like”! We are experiencing a weekend break from the heat before it is forecasted to return in full force just in time for Christmas. I’m sitting here in my apartment this afternoon with the window open, fan blowing, my little Christmas tree lights on, and drinking some Christmas coffee. (Thanks World Market for my 52 pounds of coffee prize! Thanks mom and dad for the monthly 5 pounds of coffee runs to claim my prize! And thanks Howie for bringing the latest Christmas supply!)

These past few weeks I have been asked many times when I am leaving for “las fiestas”? Most of my friends assume I am headed to North America or somewhere on vacation. I have had fun responding that I am staying here in Buenos Aires for Christmas. Yes, I will deeply miss being with my family in California these days ahead! But, at the same time, I am trying to soak in the season and receive all it has to offer in Buenos Aires. While Christmas in Argentina does not bring the same feel of Christmas in the U.S., there are customs and traditions I have already enjoyed and others I still look forward to this Christmas week. Here are just a few highlights:

1) Our annual community Advent Gathering, when we light the first candle of hope and pray for our friends. Then each Friday morning we have light the next candles on the wreath with a time of liturgy and prayer.
2) All the neighbors out on the street sitting on the sidewalk as both the weather and festivities warm up before Christmas.
3) Our church “pesebre” (nativity) that takes the entire stage (see photo above). Last Saturday all were invited to the annual community tradition of assembling the pesebre. It was really meaningful to join in that tradition!
4) Our annual Christmas party with the youth, which took this past Monday. We had a total of 30 people, including our community, Servant Team, Argentine partners, and our friends. Our time included a pollo asado (chicken bbq), a Christmas reflection in front of the pesebre, special crafts, and Christmas movies. We shared 18 Christmas gifts to our friends.
5) The wire Christmas trees light up in the plaza and parks throughout the city, surrounded by the summertime green and shade of all the trees.
6) The cold drinks of the season…Gancia (similar to vermouth with soda water, lemon, and lots of ice); Sidra (a cider drink); and extra cold cerveza.
7) Our church’s Christmas worship service, which will take place tomorrow night. Candles will be light around the pesebre and the baby Jesus will be laid in the manger.
8) This week ahead I look forward to visiting our friends at the Retiro train station and sharing some Christmas “pan dulce” and mate.
9) It’s all about Christmas Eve here! Fireworks go off at midnight, gifts are opened, and the festivities continue through the wee hours of the morning. (Definitely not a “silent night”!)

So there are nine favorite things about Christmas in Buenos Aires (in no particular order of importance)! I will keep my eyes and ears open to round out the top ten. Stay tuned!

10) Okay, that was quick…how could I forget? Number #10! Holiday drinks at Starbucks, Argentina-style…Toffee Nut Latte, Dark Cherry Mocha, and Chocolate Carmel. (gingerbread, peppermint, and egg nog are not the tastes of Christmas here.)

So, there it is my top ten....so far!

O Antiphon: O Adonai

December 18 – O Lord (O Adonai)

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

(Original translation from Latin)

O Lord of your chosen people, you have spoken to us

through prophets. Through burning bushes and flaming tongues

you have given us your law: to love God and love others.

Come with your outstretched arms and bring salvation to all.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Exodus 3.1-6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6

O Antiphon: O Wisdom

December 17 – O Wisdom (O Sapientia)

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from one end to the other mightily,

and sweetly ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

(Original translation from Latin)

O Wisdom, coming to us as the voice of God,

The rushing wind of your voice hovers over the earth,

calling us back to the peacefulness of Eden.

Come now and teach us discernment.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Proverbs 1:20; 8; 9 and 1 Corinthians 1:30

O Antiphons

Since the eighth century the O Antiphons have been used by many liturgical Christian traditions during vespers the last seven days of Advent (December 17-23). These O Antiphons became the basis for the popular Christmas carol, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

“Their predominant theme is messianic, stressing the hope of the Savior's coming. Jesus is invoked by various titles, mainly taken from the prophet Isaiah. The sequence progresses historically, from the beginning, before creation, to the very gates of Bethlehem….In their structure, each of the seven antiphons follows the same pattern, resembling a traditional liturgical prayer. Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles. Each ends with a petition for God's people, relevant to the title by which he is addressed, and the cry for him to ‘Come’.” (Jeanne Kun, “Praising the Names of Jesus: The Antiphons of Advent”)

Beginning tomorrow, I will post daily the original English translations of the original Latin O Antiphons, followed by a contemporary re-imagining or “theological translation” from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog (http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/). I will also include several suggested scriptures for each O Antiphon, as well as any other resources I find along the way.

Other Resources:

Extended liturgies for the O Antiphons

http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/oantiphons.html

The Antiphons of Advent (Readings & meditations for each day)

http://www.rc.net/wcc/antiphon.htm

Prayer for Advent Candle of Joy

Prayer based on Revised Common Lectionary Readings

(Third Sunday of Advent – Year A)

O God of Isaiah and John the Baptist,

through all such faithful ones

you proclaim the unfolding of future joy

and renewed life.

Strengthen our hearts to believe your advent promise

that one day we will walk in the holy way of Christ,

where sorrow and sighing will be no more

and the journey of God's people will be joy. Amen.

Taken from:

Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Revised Common Lectionary Readings

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayers.php?id=3

More on the Third Sunday of Advent, Rose Rejoicing Sunday....

Click here

Lyrics to "Lo, How A Rose E'Er Blooming"...

Click here

Lighting the Candle of Peace

A litany and prayer for the second Sunday of Advent on December 5...

Click here

For some other favorite Advent prayers...

Click here

Sari Bari & Suti Sana for Christmas

Christmas shopping this weekend? Anyone out there in need of Christmas gift ideas for the women in your life? I have a couple suggestions from Word Made Flesh India and Bolivia, who offer freedom to women working and trapped in the sex trade by providing employment alternatives. The shiny new website links below give more information. There you can check out the beautiful purses, bags and products for sale! Support freedom for these women through your Christmas shopping this year.

Sari Bari (India)

http://www.saribari.com/

Suti Sani (Bolivia)

http://sutisana.com/

For instructions on purchasing bags...click here.