Emmanuel

"O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God."

So this is the last of the O Antiphons. Everybody, probably, has heard the Advent carol O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. And this antiphon is its origin. It pretty much sums up what the antiphons have been leading us to pray for days -- You, who have all these characteristics, and merit all these titles, come! Because we are eagerly awaiting that awe-inspiring mystery God-with-us!

I made it! The presents are wrapped; we are at Arwen's house, where she is in charge of the cooking (though I did bring tamales for Christmas day.) I have today and tomorrow to quiet my heart and prepare for Christ's coming, and also to cuddle grandchildren. What a blessing that those two things are not mutually exclusive!

Have a very merry and blessed Christmas!!