Religion

The Lord’s Hidden Message

As a little girl, I loved puzzles. The more difficult they were, the more I loved them. And how I remember my anticipation at Christmas to see if a new mystery would be waiting under the tree for me to unravel.

So, it comes as no surprise that I found the following an interesting and exciting Christmas message!

The much loved Christmas hymn, Veni, Veni Emmanuel – or ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ – is sung at Evening Prayer during the octave before Christmas (December 17 – 23). Each night highlights one of the seven “O” Antiphons, each a different name for the Christ: Sapientia (wisdom), Adonai (Lord of Might), Radix Jesse (Stump/Rod of Jesse), Clavis David (Key of David), Oriens (Dayspring), Rex Gentium (King of the Nations), Emmanuel (God with Us).

These names in themselves give us something to ponder, as we marvel each year at the wonder that God became flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14). As we reflect on this anew, in anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth, these antiphons together have another message for us. A very timely message as we – on the eighth night (23rd) – sing the refrain for the last time:

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

If we pause to look back at those seven names of Christ, in reverse order:

Emmanuel (Dec 23)

Rex Gentium (Dec 22)

Oriens (Dec 21)

Clavis David (Dec 20)

Radix Jesse (Dec 19)

Adonai (Dec 18)

Sapientia (Dec 17)

we find an acrostic through which the Lord responds, “ERO CRAS!”, which can be translated, “Tomorrow, I will come!”

And so it is! Our Lord is coming!

Maranatha! Come, Emmanuel!

And the Lord responds, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:12.

Let us make ready our hearts to receive Jesus, the “…Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come…” Revelation 1:8

—

Sr. Lisa Marie

Sister Lisa Marie Doty is a Canossian Sister. She enjoys giving retreats and vocational talks to teens and young women, and providing on-going formation to her Institute’s Lay Canossian Associates. She is a director of youth and young adults at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in the Diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the national director of the Association of Lay Canossians, and regional coordinator of vocations for her religious family. She also gives retreats and talks on various religious topics. In her spare time, she enjoys graphic design, learning guitar, taking walks and making rosaries. Her website is Nunspeak.