Christmas

O Antiphons Devotional Series

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Merry Christmas from NCFI.

This year we want to give you a special gift centered on the identities of Christ. Enjoy!

I enjoy learning how our Christian ancestors worshipped the Lord. Depending on your denomination, you may be familiar with the O Antiphons or chants sung from December 17 to the 23. They were first written in the 6th or 7th century and cover the 7 titles of Christ mentioned in Scripture. Each title is in Latin and creates the acrostic ero cras which translated means “Tomorrow, I will be there” mirroring the theme of the antiphons: Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, & Sapienta. The order begins with Sapienta (Wisdom) and leads to the final antiphon, Emmanuel.

What surprised me most in my research was one of my favorite Christmas hymns “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is the combination of all 7 antiphons in 1 song. So amazing!

Each antiphon has the following structure:

  • a Messianic title preceded by “O”. Example: “O Wisdom”
  • elaboration of the title: “coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things”
  • the verb “come”
  • elaboration of the request to come: “and teach us the way of prudence.”

This holiday season, I invite you to join me praying and meditating on the beautiful ancient prayers of the O Antiphons. There are many ways to engage with the devotions: Follow the ancient tradition by beginning December 17 and completing the series by December 23; or, start earlier and take a couple days to meditate on a single antiphon; or dive deeper and link scriptures with the antiphon discovering wealth of grace and love the Lord has for you.  One website suggested singing the corresponding verse from “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” which I have included.

During this beautiful time of Advent, let us not only pray for ourselves and our loved ones to receive a fresh Christmas spirit, but may we also pray for our world to find Christ during this holy season. Come O Lord Jesus, come.

December 17:  O Wisdom (Sapienta)

“O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly, ordering all things. Come and teach us the way of prudence.”

Isaiah 11:2-3: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear.

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 28:2; Proverbs 8:1-36; John 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:24

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 2: O Come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! 

December 18: O Sacred Lord (O Adonai)

“O Adonai and leader of the House of Israel who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai. Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.”

Isaiah 63:11-12: Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 33:22; Exodus 3:2; 24:12; Micah 6:4; Acts 7:30-31

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 3: O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 19: O Root of Jesse (O Radix Jesse)

“O Root of Jesse standing as a sign among the peoples, before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer. Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.”

Isaiah 11:1, 10:  There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit….In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 52:15; Romans 15:12

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 4: O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny. From depth of Hell they people save and give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! 

December 20: O Key of David (O Clavis Davidica)

“O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel, you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open. Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”

Isaiah 22:22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:16; 16:19 Luke 1:79 Revelation 3:7

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 5: O Come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home, make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

December 21: O Morning Star (O Oriens)

O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness. Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Isaiah 9:2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 58:8; 60:18-20 Malachi 4:2 Luke 1:78-79 John 8:12 Revelation 21:23-25; 22:16 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel verse 6: O Come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine Advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! 

December 22: O King of Nations (O Rex Gentium)

O King of Nations and their desire, the cornerstone making both one. Come and save the human race which you fashioned from clay.

Daniel 7:14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 2:4; 11:10; Romans 15:12; Ephesians 2:14, 19-20 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 7: O Come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven’s peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! 

December 23: O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel our King and our Lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour. Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Additional Scriptures: Matthew 1:23 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, verse 1: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! 

Conclusion:

Enjoy the beautiful O Antiphons Plainsong with accompaniment. It includes the additional O Antiphon sung on Christmas eve.

NCFI Cares: Live Out the Advent Season

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Advent is a time of anticipation! One website describes the anticipation of advent as:

The weekly themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy are meant to guide people through a time of spiritual preparation and reflection. As each week of Advent passes, people are encouraged to align their hearts with the message of Christ’s birth. Advent is a time to prepare for the anniversary of Christ’s birth on Christmas and his second coming. 

This holiday season I encourage each of us to purposefully radiate each theme to all in need of the spirit of Advent. Take a moment, right now, and ask the Holy Spirit. Who do I know that needs Hope? Peace? Love? Joy? Let’s review each theme and discover the miraculous work of Christ.

Hope: As believers our hope is based on the truth of the Gospel through Jesus Christ.

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25).

Our hope is not based on something tangible like leaders, policies, health, and economics. Instead, our hope is based on the truth found in scripture. When the tide and concerns of this world threaten to lead us to hopelessness, we open the word of God and find the tangible, realistic hope solidly rooted in faith. And Jesus said to him, If you can! All things are possible for one who believes. (Mark 9:23). Faith is believing in the teachings of scripture. Through our act of belief, the Holy Spirit grows our hope into a miraculous experience where we can confidently say, For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).

Peace: Maybe you know someone in need of the miraculous peace of Christ. First, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and our peace is found in Him. Paul, who suffered extensively to spread the Gospel, blessed each believer in many of the Epistles: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” The Peace of Christ is a peace that surpasses understanding as described by Paul in the letter to the Philippines: ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:7). Paul then gives us directions on how to obtain this miraculous peace: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (4:8-9).

Love: As believers, we are more familiar with the love of God and how it radiates to each one of us. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ life exemplified how the love of God was to be dispensed to humanity, thus we can be the love of God to others by imitating Jesus. Once again Paul helps us out with his teachings found in 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (4-8).

Joy is the final theme for Advent and a great way to wrap up our Advent reflections of hope, peace, and love. We can have all three, yet if we lack joy, then we can’t shine. Joy is an outward expression of an inside state of mind. Jesus promised joy through himself and his teachings. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). through the indwelling, continuous Holy Spirit And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

Let’s spread Advent to our colleagues, patients, friends, and family. For through us, they experience the tangible presence of hope, peace, love, and joy found in Christ Jesus.

Final Prayer: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

NCFI Cares: The Holy Family

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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

This beautiful nativity scene is replayed in movies and church celebrations throughout the Christmas season. It is a reminder of the humble circumstances that the holy family experienced. It is hard for us to imagine the poverty in which a child is born amidst straw and manure. Yet, unfortunately, even today, the vulnerability of the family is too common throughout the world.

As nurses, we encounter fathers who are unable to provide adequate housing for their families. We counsel young single women who are alone and afraid, yet choose birth in hope of a better life; and mothers who lack the basic necessities of food and clothing. Overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenting and marriage, parents separate and divorce. Mothers and/or fathers paralyzed by mental illness become too debilitated to care for their children. In war-torn areas, parents are challenged to protect their children from bombs and violence.

Then there is the addiction crisis, where any number of substances demands priority over the love and care of children. Thus leaving a growing number of emotionally and possibly physically abandoned children to mature into adulthood on their own.

Next time you see the nativity scene, don’t get swept up in the celebration. Whether it is through our nursing services, our supportive churches, or from the fruit of our wages, find a way to help the most at-risk group in our society—the family. Through our work in Christ’s name, we can go into the nativity scene and bring the essentials needed to support the birthplace of our Saviour—the family.

NCFI Cares: Three Gifts of Nurses

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They entered the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh

Matthew 2:11

This is a wonderful time of year. We celebrate the miracle of the birth of Christ more than two thousand years ago. We ponder the magnificent events with shepherds, angels, and wisemen. The incredible wisemen followed the Christmas star that led them to Jesus, the future King of the Jews.  Upon their arrival they bowed in worship honoring this glorious infant. 

The treasures they carried on their journey were valuable and perfect for the Son of God. The gold, a gift for kings, recognized Jesus as King of Kings. The gift of frankincense, a substance burned as incense during worship, acknowledged Christ’ divinity as God. Myrrh used to prepare bodies for burial, indicated Jesus’ humanity and preparation for His future suffering. The gifts were significant for worshipping the Christ, as well as expensive and practical.

As Christian nurses we honor the King of Kings, Holy Son of God and Savior through previous gifts:

  • The vastness of our knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as our economic gains represents our gift of gold. We generous bring this regal gift to the King of King, who rules our nursing practice.
  • Our daily nursing care, inspired and sanctified by the Holy Spirt, is given as a fragrant offering and represents our gift of frankincense.
  • Our work among the suffering, the marginalized, the underrepresented, and poor represent our gift of myrrh. As Christ surrendered to the suffering, we surrender to care for humanity.

This Christmas season, take a few moments to reflect on these precious gifts given in truth and faith to our Lord. Our gifts in nursing are no less precious, practical, and priceless. The most mundane or disliked treatment is a fragrant offering to the Holy One. Our caring hands comfort the hurt and suffering of whom The Savior is kindred to; and, all our work points to the future reign of the King of Kings.

We Three Kings (with lyrics)

NCFI Cares: Christmas Angels

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This is a republish of an NCFI Cares for Christmas from December, 2015. Enjoy!

One of the amazements of the Nativity story is the angels’ announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:9-15. I have taken creative license in imagining how the scene unfolded:

Heaven is buzzing with excitement. It is about to occur. Jesus will become human. Even though the angels are informed of this great mystery and the significance of salvation, they are filled with wonder and anticipation.

“How long does it take for a little human to be born?” one angel asks. “Why can’t God just make one, like Adam and Eve?”

“I can’t wait” says another. “There hasn’t been this much heavenly excitement since the creation of the Heavens and Earth and the miracles in Egypt.”

“Wait!” says a third angel. “What if the humans miss it? The wise men are on their way, but what if they are the only ones who come to see this miraculous event?”

“I am sure there will be other people who will come and worship the Son,” responds another angel.  “After all, God has given them many signs of what to look for”

A shout arises from the angels, “It is time! Mary is giving birth!”  An overzealous angel, unable to contain his excitement, bolts to earth. The angel finds himself hovering over shepherds in the field and at a loss of what to say or do. Uh, oh! The angel thinks, I have messed up!

Looking for a clue of what to do next, the angel notices the fear on the shepherds face.

“Don’t be afraid!” the angel nervously says. Trying his best to reassure the terrified shepherds. “Listen carefully” says the angel. His confidence is building and the words are flowing. Thank you God, I know what to say! So with renewed confidence, the angel continues.  “For I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.”

“This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” The angel notices the sky is suddenly filled with other angels and together they rejoice:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

The angel returns to heaven feeling assured knowing that all of earth, throughout eternity will know the significance of the Son’s birth!

Merry Christmas!

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds, by Thomas Cole, c. 1833-34. Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, United States

NCFI Cares: Yahweh Shalom: The LORD is Peace

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Yahweh Shalom

Yahweh Shalom comes from Gideon’s response when he encountered the angel of the Lord.

 “When Gideon saw the angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now, I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The LORD is Peace (Judges 6:22-23) or Yahweh Shalom.

Our humanistic response to an encounter with the Divine is fear and trembling. Yet, in this encounter the Lord revealed Himself as Shalom. Not only as one who gives peace or provides peace, but the One who is Peace. Christmas is a time to celebrate the Prince of Peace, Yahweh Shalom realized through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6)

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).  

“The peace that Christ brought is primarily spiritual peace from and with God, peace in the heart, peace as the disposition or spirit…This is represented as the ultimate result of the gospel and Spirit of Christ; universal and permanent peace can come only as that Spirit rules in men’s hearts.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). It is easy to allow the world to turn the peace in our hearts into worry, anxiety, and fear.  When we surrender our own hearts to the transformation process found in redemptive peace of Yahweh Shalom, we experience a peace beyond human understanding (Phil. 4:7). Then we can extend shalom to our colleagues. Remembering that “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” (James 3:18).

Merry Christmas from NCFI

NCFI Cares: Share A Christmas Hymn

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As a young girl, I remember memorizing Silent Night, O’ Little Town of Bethlehem, and The Little Drummer Boy, yet not really paying attention to the lyrics. I would sing the songs in school pageants and throughout out the holiday season. The hymns were really no different than other Santa Claus based children songs, until I became a Christian as an adult. Then, I was amazed at the rich spiritual truth seemingly hidden, yet obvious in Christmas hymns.

My purpose in sharing my story is to encourage you to share the richness of Christmas music with your staff, patients, and friends. Even if O Come, O Come Emmanuel is played amidst Jingle Bells, the amazing truth of our Savior’s birth is announced in the mall, on the radio, and throughout the listening public. People who would never open a Bible, talk about God, nor attend church will worship God while singing Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Also, take a moment this Christmas season to praise the Divine during O’ Holy Night or meditate upon the rich spiritual truth found in Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Merry Christmas from NCFI Cares!cf2e1-ncficares_3bloglogo

NCFI Cares: Christmas WOW!

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wow

Every Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A lowly infant born amidst a chaotic world to bring salvation to humanity. The life-changing miracle that is veiled behind the simplicity and monotony of a child’s birth is an amazing WOW for humanity. God became flesh on Christmas Eve (John 1:14). WOW! The omnipotent, omnipresence, and omniscient God (all powerful, all present, and all knowing) became Jesus Christ, the fully human and fully divine. Double WOW!

As I reflect on the cataclysmic miracle of the “I AM” existing as a human to display divine love for you and for me, I want to fall on my knees in holy worship.

“Fall on your knees

O hear the angels’ voices

O night divine

O night when Christ was born”

 (O Holy Night)

This truth is intensely theological, yet it is this mystery that is the real Christmas WOW and makes all our other WOW’s possible.

As you make last minute preparations for Christmas, look to experience your Christmas WOW. Do you find it in the innocent joy of children, the loving embrace of friends and family, is it  the extended heart to the suffering under your nursing care, or is it the quietness of the night as you ponder the night divine?

Merry Christmas from NCFI!

p.s. Share your Christmas WOW below OR in a comment on Facebook

 

NCFI Cares: Christmas Angels

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This is a republish of an NCFI Cares for Christmas from December, 2015. Enjoy!

One of the amazements of the Nativity story is the angels’ announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:9-15. I have taken creative license in imagining how the scene unfolded:

Heaven is buzzing with excitement. It is about to occur. Jesus will become human. Even though the angels are informed of this great mystery and the significance of salvation, they are filled with wonder and anticipation.

“How long does it take for a little human to be born?” one angel asks. “Why can’t God just make one, like Adam and Eve?”

“I can’t wait” says another. “There hasn’t been this much heavenly excitement since the creation of the Heavens and Earth and the miracles in Egypt.”

“Wait!” says a third angel. “What if the humans miss it? The wise men are on their way, but what if they are the only ones who come to see this miraculous event?”

“I am sure there will be other people who will come and worship the Son,” responds another angel.  “After all, God has given them many signs of what to look for”

A shout arises from the angels, “It is time! Mary is giving birth!”  An overzealous angel, unable to contain his excitement, bolts to earth. The angel finds himself hovering over shepherds in the field and at a loss of what to say or do. Uh, oh! The angel thinks, I have messed up!

Looking for a clue of what to do next, the angel notices the fear on the shepherds face.

“Don’t be afraid!” the angel nervously says. Trying his best to reassure the terrified shepherds. “Listen carefully” says the angel. His confidence is building and the words are flowing. Thank you God, I know what to say! So with renewed confidence, the angel continues.  “For I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.”

“This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” The angel notices the sky is suddenly filled with other angels and together they rejoice:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

The angel returns to heaven feeling assured knowing that all of earth, throughout eternity will know the significance of the Son’s birth!

Merry Christmas!

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds, by Thomas Cole, c. 1833-34. Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, United States