From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.
Today's "O" statement is O Root of Jesse's stem, come to save us without delay!
It was always thought that the arrival of the Messiah – would be announced in small and varied ways. A tiny bud emanating from the root of Jesse's stem was such a sign of God's love for all his people! God was offering his people hope in the midst of their darkness and oppression!
In our day we have a strange combination of light and darkness. Jesus the Light has come, the Light, His Light is shining brightly for those who switch on the lamp of his light! But so many choose to remain in darkness, confusion, tension and frustration! They complain and say "there ought to be a way out of this chaos" – but they refuse to "plug into" the way that has already been provided!
May we who are baptized into the Light of Christ, this day let our light shine not only for ourselves to see the way through our own day, but so that others might see the way through theirs! May we all rejoice in the fact that miracles can happen – the barren can be fruitful, buds can bloom where there was nothing but dead wood, light can appear where there was darkness – and God's Friendship and Love and Light can become a tiny baby boy: Jesus, born in a cave in Bethlehem – for us! Nothing is impossible with God!
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, O God, and I will sing your glory!
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