Musings and Contemplations

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Mark 13:35-36 ESV
Therefore, stay awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

Luke 2:1-14 NRSV
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

The Fifth “O Antiphon” – Dayspring
O Dayspring, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine Advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Jacob Davis
Christ comes not as a sudden blaze that erases the night, but as the faithful dawn that breaks it. His light does not merely illuminate; it orients. Like the appearance of the morning star, it gives direction to those who have lost their way, warmth to those grown numb, and hope to those who can scarcely imagine morning. Like the solstice itself, his coming marks a decisive change that may be quiet, even hidden, but is nonetheless real.[1]

The Sixth “O Antiphon” – Desire of Nations
O King of the nations, and their desire, the Cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay.

O come, Desire of Nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid thou our sad divisions cease,
And be thyself our King of Peace.

Elizabeth Demmon
Jesus’ kingship is about power. It is about government, justice, and freedom. But it’s not about politics. Jesus was not a politician. He steered political questions to more profound spiritual truths. He allowed his followers to pay taxes to Caesar, he willingly submitted to an unjust criminal trial, and he allowed himself to die by a state-sanctioned execution. What kind of king does that? The kind who understands that his reign is not of this world. This king does not follow the same rules and pathways to power as fallen human leaders. Christ does not win his kingship by conquering human enemies, but in victory over the very sin and death that corrupt humanity.[2]

‘Tis Christmas Eve
(Hymn tune: Olive’s Brow)

‘Tis Christmas Eve, and all is still
As heaven and earth unite to tell
The message of a loving God
Who came among his own to dwell.

‘Tis Christmas Eve, the time has come,
Incarnate God, eternal Son,
To enter into earth’s distress,
And keep God’s promise, all to bless.

‘Tis Christmas Eve, eternal ligh
Has entered into dark and night;
The world in sin and sorrow bound,
Deliverance comes with infant sound.

‘Tis Christmas Eve, the Prince of heaven
On manger straw to us is given.
The Dayspring from on high has come,
A bed of straw his natal throne.

‘Tis Christmas Eve, and those outcast
Were given an angelic blast;
The sound caused fear and awe and praise,
“The hope of earth in manger lays.”

‘Tis Christmas Eve! Celestial sounds
Give praise to God for coming down
To earth to show the love of God,
And walk the path that humans trod.

‘Tis Christmas Eve! O, come to us,
Desire of Nations whom we trust.
Within our hearts let heaven in,
Deliver us from self and sin.

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.[3]

How Should a King Come?

[1] https://anglicancompass.com/o-oriens-o-dayspring/
[2] https://anglicancompass.com/o-rex-gentium-o-king-of-the-nations/
[3] Prayer for Christmas Eve, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 599.