Stars

A poem for Epiphany, or any time you look up at the night sky, and wonder. AbrahamThe stars were his promise to carry him on his sojourn past the skeptical glances and his own fear through the waiting despite domestic squabbles to a son and bloody altars and a legacy of trust.MagiThe star was their invitation to a new way of seeing beyond their charts … Continue reading Stars

O Antiphons – O Emmanuel

The O Antiphons are about 1500 years old. In the last seven days of Advent, they declare seven names of Christ. They are most commonly known as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”VIIO Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,the hope of the nations and their Savior:Come and save us, O Lord our God.We rode the creaking van throughrough non-streets of a … Continue reading O Antiphons – O Emmanuel

O Antiphons – O King of Nations

The O Antiphons are about 1500 years old. In the last seven days of Advent, they declare seven names of Christ. They are most commonly known as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”VIO King of the nations, and their desire,the cornerstone making both one:Come and save the human race,which you fashioned from clay.There is so much more to makingthan forming shapes.There … Continue reading O Antiphons – O King of Nations

O Antiphons – O Dayspring

The O Antiphons are about 1500 years old. In the last seven days of Advent, they declare seven names of Christ. They are most commonly known as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”VO Dayspring,splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness:Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.You call me from the city scape and hearthto … Continue reading O Antiphons – O Dayspring

O Antiphons – O Key of David

IVO Key of David and scepter 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. I was content in the cloister,safe from wildness without until the day a door was left ajar.My heart escaped before my mind could stop it.Now … Continue reading O Antiphons – O Key of David

O Antiphons – O Root of Jesse

The O Antiphons are about 1500 years old. In the last seven days of Advent, they declare seven names of Christ. They are most commonly known as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”IIIO 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 … Continue reading O Antiphons – O Root of Jesse

O Antiphons – Wisdom

The O Antiphons are about 1500 years old. In the last seven days of Advent, they declare seven names of Christ. They are most commonly known as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”IO 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.The … Continue reading O Antiphons – Wisdom

Same Song, Next Verse

She was an ordinary girl. We remind ourselves of it every year at this time. We know nothing about Mary except that she was pledged to be married to Joseph. Later on we get a few hints about her personality, and there is one clue even in the annunciation—the encounter with the angel Gabriel. When he told Mary that God was pleased with her and … Continue reading Same Song, Next Verse

Recently I was in Michigan for a conference, and I rented a car so that I could drive to my friends’ homes and stay with them instead of staying in a hotel. While I’m glad I made those arrangements, in the moment I realized that I had forgotten how fast Michiganders drive. Yikes. I was white-knuckling it in a “mid-size” (small) rental car in commuter … Continue reading