Texas OP Nuns

Merry Christmas!

The angel said to them, \”Be not afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.\” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, \”Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.\”
(Luke 2:10-14)

O Antiphons, Day 7: O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel,

king and lawgiver,

desire of the nations,

Savior of all people,

come and set us free, O Lord our God.

O Antiphons, Day 6: O Rex Gentium

O King of all the nations,

the only joy of every human heart;

O Keystone of the mighty arch of man,

come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

O Antiphons, Day 5: O Oriens

O Radiant Dawn,

splendor of eternal light,

sun of justice:

come, shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death.

O Antiphons, Day 4: O Clavis David

O Key of David,

O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven:

come, break down the prison walls of death

for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;

and lead your captive people into freedom.

O Antiphons, Day 3: O Radix Jesse

O Flower of Jesse\’s stem,

you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;

kings stand silent in your presence;

the nations bow down in worship before you.

Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

…Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, \”Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her…\” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
(Matthew 1:20, 24)

St. Joseph was determined to divorce Mary quietly when he had the first of several dreams recorded in St. Matthew\’s Gospel. Like his Old Testament counterpart, Joseph is a dreamer! The main point is that Joseph took the dream seriously as a message from God. He changed his mind completely and accepted Mary (and her unborn Son) into his home and into his heart. Joseph is the first person to welcome Jesus and Mary into his life. May we all do the same this Christmas season and every day of our lives!