Dear Caldwell,
I wrote to you yesterday to say that I would be sharing a few lines of some familiar – and not-so-familiar – Advent and Christmas hymns as we count down to our Christmas Eve service Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Today, I’m going with the familiar – in part, because it is never too familiar to me.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel traces its text – the words – to before the 9th century. It’s most familiar tune has been used since 1852, according to our hymnal. One of the practices the church has lost is the use of what are known as the “O Antiphons,” which are related to this magnificent hymn. Antiphons are the attributes of Christ mentioned in scripture. Ancient tradition is to sing or pray the antiphons in the final days of Advent, either at morning or evening vespers as follows:
Dec. 17: O Wisdom
Dec. 18: O Lord of Might
Dec. 19: O Root of Jesse
Dec. 20: O Key of David
Dec. 21: O Dayspring (note the connection to this as the date of the longest night)
Dec. 22: O Desire of Nations
Dec. 23: O Emmanuel (God with us)
Almost any year, my favorite verse of this hymn is the 7th and final one. In these days of rampant terrorism, strife between nations, lone-wolf violence, cyber-warfare and genocide, this poetic plea for peace offer are our sorely needed prayer:
O Come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel.
Also, today, I want to include a few words from Evie that were meant for the newsletter that came out Sunday but were mistakenly left out. I knew you wouldn’t want to miss her seasonal reflection.
Dear Caldwell Family,
Where do I begin? Amidst all that has transpired this church year, we can be grateful for all the Lord has enabled us to do and to be together! Many of us have had challenging trials in family life, work, health and in many different ways. We have been up and we have been down. This time last year, I was personally struggling with intense grief over my father, Jose’s, death. This year, too, I have had some intense moments with grief as well. In the midst of it all, I am truly grateful for all of the support and God’s grace that has brought me through.
What fills your heart with gratitude? Take a moment and think about it… Now take it all in!
For instance, as associate pastor of this fine church, I am grateful for all of you Caldwellians who showed up for our Las Posadas tradition that took place on December 13, 2014. The reality is that Caldwell folks – white, African-American, Cuban-American, gay & straight – showed up and outnumbered our Latino/a neighbors from El Salvador, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico among other places. It was a witness to see the interaction between people from different walks of life. It was a reminder that, amidst our ethnic/racial tensions and differences, Jesus creates a space where we can all meet as equals. I was reminded of Tramaine Hawkins song, “What Shall I Do:”
“I can’t live without your help, I am weak all by myself…Lord please give me the strength I need…”
Psalm 122 also reminds us:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.”
We cannot do anything without God’s help through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe it or not, we also cannot do anything without the help of a beloved community. We are the beloved community that journeys together! I journey with you all through pastoral care and every opportunity that I get to pray, listen and journey with each family. As pastors, we walk on Holy Ground every time we journey with each member and friend of this congregation. Needless to say, my heart is full and I am taking it all in. I hope your heart also becomes more full of gratitude as you meditate on our Advent Jesus and all that God has done for us!