A Full Two Octave Range!
Nancy, one of my frequent commenters pointed out to me that the true Octave of Christmas is the eight days starting with Christmas Day and ending after the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. The eight days preceding Christmas celebrated by the "O" Antiphons are not
"The"
Octave of Christmas, but a "mini-octave" so to speak. The Word becoming flesh to forever change our lives is so important that the season of Advent and Christmas are celebrated by two full octaves in the Church! (Thanks Nancy for the clarification)
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.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).
As we pray each antiphon these 8 days of advent, we call out to Christ to come to us and prepare us for His coming. In that process, ultimately we will be transformed. God became man so it becomes possible that we may become more like Him. One of the ways that help us "prepare Him Room" is through the confessional. At this time of year as we contemplate the humility of God coming into the universe as a baby, we desire to be made clean again. We desire to make our hearts right with God, calling to mind our sins. Through the grace poured out on us via the sacrament of confession, we are made new again, preparing the way for Him. So much grace, so little time.
For a good post about confession check out Susie's post here.
"The"
Octave of Christmas, but a "mini-octave" so to speak. The Word becoming flesh to forever change our lives is so important that the season of Advent and Christmas are celebrated by two full octaves in the Church! (Thanks Nancy for the clarification)
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.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).
As we pray each antiphon these 8 days of advent, we call out to Christ to come to us and prepare us for His coming. In that process, ultimately we will be transformed. God became man so it becomes possible that we may become more like Him. One of the ways that help us "prepare Him Room" is through the confessional. At this time of year as we contemplate the humility of God coming into the universe as a baby, we desire to be made clean again. We desire to make our hearts right with God, calling to mind our sins. Through the grace poured out on us via the sacrament of confession, we are made new again, preparing the way for Him. So much grace, so little time.
For a good post about confession check out Susie's post here.
"THANK GOD, for this sacrament. He Loves us all with reckless abandon. Let Him lead you to find freedom from sin in the confessional. Start 2008 with a clean slate! It'll be great! It's never too late! "
posted by Russ Rentler, M.D. | 8:48 AM
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