O Antiphons

This is our O Antiphon wreath we made today. Under Her Starry Mantle has a detailed tutorial on how to make an O Antiphon wreath. Princess enjoyed all the cutting, pasting, and coloring.

Beginning on December 17, as the final phase of preparation for Christmas, the Church recites or chants the O Antiphons preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours.

The O Antiphons express the Church's longing and expectation for the Messiah, her startled wonderment at the fullness of grace which the Christ-Child is about to bestow on the world. Their theme is the majesty of the Savior, His wisdom, His faithfulness and sanctity, His justice and mercy, His covenant with His chosen people, who in their ingratitude broke faith with Him. They are concerned with His power and love as King and Redeemer of the world, His relation to every soul as Emmanuel, God-with-us. (With Christ Through the Year by Bernard Strasser)
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December 17th

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!


I purchased a ton of Father Lovasik books from amazon. They are listed for $1.50 for a 10 pack. And if that's not enough of a great deal, there's also the 4 for 3 promotion. The kids will love these.
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December 18

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!


Today we will make gingerbread houses using this tutorial. The kids will really enjoy this and taste testing all the goodies as well! Yum!!!!
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December 19th

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.


We will make a variation of these Poinsettia Flower fairies. And we'll also read The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie DePaola.
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December 20th

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.


Today we have our Jesse Tree Liturgical Tea. Perhaps, I'll include some Key Lime Pie.
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December 21st

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!


We will read The Clown of God by Tomie DePaola, add lights to our main nativity set, and drive around to a huge Christmas light display in the next town.
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December 22nd

O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!


We will make some king crowns.
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December 23rd

O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!


I really wanted to get the kiddos the One 2 Believe nativity set for today, however, there's no way it will ship here before this day. So, instead I decided to buy the Rosary cd and coloring book set from Holy Heroes. My kids are so excited everyday to watch the newest video from Holy Heroes and to pray a decade a day with them--even big boy sits and prays. The tie in for today's O Antiphon is that Mary through the rosary brings us all closer to Jesus.

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