“A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall name him Emmanuel - God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14/Matthew 1:23)
Throughout Advent, we have heard Isaiah's prophecies, and this week before Christmas, we pray as Gospel acclamations, the “O Antiphons,” from ancient times. We ponder, who is this child, this Son, who shall do great things? How shall we know Him? How will we experience God's presence? We will come to know Him by his words and example. During this season of Advent there are wonderful words proclaimed in scripture and song that encourage us on our journey of faith.
“O wisdom of our God, Most High, guiding creation with power and love, come and teach us the path of knowledge.” What is this wisdom? The beginning of John’s Gospel offers, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Through God, all things came into being. And from the Book of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created heaven and earth, and it was good. God said, ‘let us make humans in our own image, in the likeness of God.’ God created all people in the image of God and blessed them and asked that they care of the earth. And God saw that it was very good.”
“O leader of the house of Israel, giver of the law to Moses on Sinai, come and rescue us with your mighty power.” What is that law? In Luke’s Gospel (10:25), a lawyer asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Do this, and fullness of life is yours.”
“O root of Jesse's stem, sign of God's love for all people! Come to save us without delay.” What will this child teach us? At the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read from the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 61, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and proclaim a year of favor from God. This text is fulfilled in me today as you are listening.”
“O key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal kingdom. Come and free the prisoners of darkness.” How will we enter this gate? In our ministries, Matthew 25 affirms our service when Jesus says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food [and food pantries], I was thirsty and you gave me drink [and built wells], a stranger [and an immigrant] and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me [with warm pajamas], ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me [and gave me dignity]. In truth, what you did for others, you did for me.”
“O radiant dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness.” How will this justice appear? Jesus in the Beatitudes encourages those of us who are poor in spirit, humbly sharing our gifts with others. Blessed are you, gentle, nonviolent people/protesters. Blessed are you who hunger and thirst to find justice for all. Blessed are you who show mercy and compassion in your daily life. Blessed are you who work tirelessly for peace. The reign of God is in your souls.
“O King of all nations, come and save your people.” How will the nations know your way? “There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, no more. (Gal 3) Jesus prays for all people in John’s Gospel, chapter 17, “That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
“O come, Emmanuel, long-awaited Savior, God with us, come and save us.” Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8)
Come, Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, help us on our journey to echo Victor Hugo's words in Les Misérables, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” Our prayer this holy season is that children throughout the world might sing, “Silent Night, Holy Night,” and truly sleep peacefully every night.
~Sister Louise Mileski
Sister Louise has served in elementary education and as a pastoral associate in New York and St. Louis, faithfully preaching the Gospel through both word and deed.