Monthly Archives: December 2019

Dec 24 – Christmas Eve, 1946, Marinette Wisconsin

This photo was taken, probably by my Dad, in 1946.  Dr. Redeman, a family friend, was Santa. He visited the homes of parents with children on Christmas Eve in our small town. Three of us four children sit in little … Continue reading

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Dec 23 – “O Emmanuel” the 7th and final O Antiphon

Monday, December 23  —   “my little heart loses its limits in joy” Advent ends today: three plus weeks of prophecy daring us to see the world, realistically,  as  beautiful and beloved.   That dare can shake us when Advent’s antiphons … Continue reading

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Dec 22 – 6th Antiphon O Rex Gentium – O King of the Nations

Sunday, December 22 Sunday before Christmas O Antiphon #6   O Rex Gentium – O King of the Nations O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! Today’s Post: … Continue reading

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Dec 21 – Solstice 5th O Antiphon

Dec 21 shortest daylight = solstice Saturday, December 21  –  O Oriens At Detroit’s latitude we will have 9 hours and 3 minutes of daylight, 14 hours and 57 minutes of night time. Our shortest day. Today’s O Antiphon, “O … Continue reading

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Dec 20 – Antiphon # 4 – “O Key of David”

Friday,  December 20 “Come and lead us who sit bound with chains in the prison house” I am still in the working class suburb down river from Baden, PA.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden and I tell each other stories … Continue reading

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Dec 19 – Antiphon # 3 “O Root of Jesse”

Thursday,  December 19 Today’s Antiphon, “O Root of Jesse,” grew out of two Biblical texts recounting the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:23 and Matthew 1:1).  Both versions locate the new born baby as Jesus, a human being, more than as … Continue reading

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Dec 18 O Antiphon # 2 – Robert Frost — sun or stars?

Tuesday, December 18  –  “to ease attention off when overtight” We are 4 days out from the winter solstice (http://www.calendarpedia.com/when-is/winter-solstice.html).   But that’s for the future.  Now, deep into December’s winter,  is a time to treat long nights with respect … Continue reading

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Dec 17 – the first day as Advent folds toward Christmas with O Antiphon 1: “O Sapientia”

Monday December 17  — “It is the 3 strange angels . . . ” The “O Antiphons” are one of the few song-sets from the seven monastic liturgical hours.  Their poetry and song bring Advent wisdom to bear on this  season … Continue reading

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Dec 16 — the last day before the Seven “O Antiphons” begin

Monday, December 16  –   “I am going to smuggle some more of your laughter into this poem” Today has a feeling of wrapping things up for this semester — even though academic work remains in many parts of the university … Continue reading

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Dec 11 — e e cummings, “a little church”

Wednesday, December 11  “around me surges a miracle of birth and glory and death and resurrection” A  mid-December day:  lots of scrambling these days inside and across our work lives. Here’s one of e.e. cummings’ poems praising the timeless beauty … Continue reading

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