The Birth of Our Lord

From the Martyrology:

In the year from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created heaven and earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine; from the flood two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven; from the birth of Abraham, two thousand and fifteen; from Moses and the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, one thousand five hundred and ten; from the anointing of King David, one thousand and thirty-two; in the sixty-fifth week, according to the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the year seven hundred and fifty-two from the founding of the city of Rome; in the forty-second year of the empire of Octavian Augustus, when the whole world was at peace, in the sixth age of the world, Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since His conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become Man of the Virgin Mary.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH.

Christmas and the Freedom from Religion Foundation

It seems strange to me that groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation go all out to remove all traces of something that they insist does not exist in the first place.

Andrew Seidel, the group’s constitutional consultant, states that “It’s a group endorsing religion over a public right of way” in Pitman, NJ. The sign says "Keep Christ in Christmas."

The stated reason for wanting the sign removed from over a county road is the concept of the separation of church and state. According to my reading of the Constitution, there is no defined division between the church and the state. There is only the declaration that the government "shall pass no law effecting the establishment of religion (no official state church).

Based upon the following quote, action taken against organized religion seems to be unnecessary and a waste of effort:

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds,” said Seidel.

The Festival of All Saints

From the Roman Martyrology:

The Festival of All Saints, which Pope Boniface IV, after the dedication of the Pantheon, ordained to be kept generally and solemnly every year, in the city of Rome, in honor of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of the holy martyrs. It was afterwards decreed by Pope Gregory IV that this feast, which was then celebrated in many dioceses, but at different times, should be on this day kept by the whole Church in honor of all saints.

It could only happen in California!

Host Bible Study Fined: Oh, California. Apparently group Bible studies are so dangerous they cannot take place without a permit.

A southern California couple has been fined $300 dollars for holding Christian Bible study sessions in their home, and could face another $500 for each additional gathering. City officials in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. say Chuck and Stephanie Fromm are in violation of municipal code 9-3.301, which prohibits “religious, fraternal or non-profit” organizations in residential neighborhoods without a permit.

You can read the full story on Glenn Beck's site The Blaze!

The Exaltation of the holy Cross - September 14

History states that Chosroes, king of Persia, carried away the relic of the True Cross to Persia; but Heraclius, ascending the throne of Judea, defeated Chosroes and himself carried the holy Cross to the Basilica on Calvary. A.D. 629. (From a 1957 edition of the Roman Missal.)

The Introit: Gal. 6:14 & Ps. 66:2.

The Collect: O God, who didst will that Thy Son should suffer for us upon the Tree of the Cross, that Thou mighest drive far from us the power of the enemy, grant unto us, Thy servants, that as we have known on earth the mysteries of our redemption, so may be accounted worthy to receive the fruits thereof in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, etc. Amen.

The Epistle: Phil. 2:5-11.
The Gradual: Phil. 2:8,9.
The Gospel: John 12:31-36.

Office Hymn: TLH 168, SBH 75.

Saint Laurance Martyr

From the Roman Martyrology: The Tenth Day of August.

At Rome, on the Tiburtine Way, the birthday of the blessed archdeacon Lawrence, a martyr during the persecution of Valerian. After much suffering from imprisonment, from scourging with whips set with iron or lead, from hot metal plates, he at last completed his martyrdom by being slowly consumed on an iron instrument made in the form of a gridiron. His body was buried by blessed Hippolytus and the priest Justin in the cemetery of Cyriaca, in the Agro Verano....

From holy Card of Saint Laurence:

Saint Laurence was one of the seven deacons who served the Church in Rome in the second half of the third century. Three days after the martyrdom of Pope St. Sixtus whom he had served faithfully, Laurence was apprehended by the Roman prefect who demanded from him the treasures of the Church. Laurence gathered the poor of Rome and presented them as the Riches of the Church. This so infuriated the prefect that he ordered that Laurence be roasted alive on a gridiron. In the midst of his torture he cheerfully admonished: "Let my body be turned, one side is broiled enough."

Few martyrs have been venerated so intensely or universally as Saint Laurence whose Feast occurs on August 10. He is the patron of cooks.

From the Anglican Missal:

O Lord, who knowest us to be sore beset by reason of our sins: mercifully grant that, like as thou didst enable thy blessed servant Lawrence to overcome the fires of his torments; so may we by thy grace assuage the flames of our temptations. Through.....

Why the Long Silence?

In my July post I said that I would be more active in posting; but you may have noticed an extended period of nothing being posted.

My computer died shortly after my last post. I finally managed to get everything transfered to a new computer; but it took a while to restore E-mail addresses, stored mail and browser bookmarks.

A word to the wise - do not forget to make backups of all files. Had I done so, I would have had an easier time getting back up and working.

The Long Silence is Ended....

After four months of writer's block (my story, and I'm sticking to it), I intend to post on a more regular basis. I seem to have been lost in the doldrums; but I did continued to follow my usual blogs. Something must have given my Muse a good swift kick to get me back at it.

I invite my Rev. Fathers and Brother to cross-post on Writ-in-Red and/or suggest topics that might be considered on this blog. Feedback is always a stimulant to discussion.

I must confess that it has been 46 years since I began my study of theology, liturgics and rubrics. This is when Concordia Senior College was still a viable part of the LCMS system. It has been 39 years since I received my diploma from the St. Louis Seminary. I know that was a difficult time for St. Louis; but the synod/church has survived. Therefore, I am "Old School."

If you will, help me to understand and discuss the "New School" views, this could lead to interesting discussions.

Pax et Gaudiam.

Seeing is not always believing.

As if the themes and variations in write your own liturgies are not enough to give you pause, the things you see posted on parish signboards sometimes bring you to a full stop.

When walking past the nearby LCMS parish, I could not believe what I read on their sign. It seemed so out of place, and a bit less than Lutheran.

This is what was on that sign:

"Saint Valentine suffered and died for your Christian Marriage."

February 14th -St. Valentine, Priest and Martyr.

Omer Englebert, in The Lives of the Saints, has this small note:

"In medieval days it was believed that birds began to pair on February 14th, whence the origin of the custom of sending 'Valentines'."

Hodie Christus Natus Est

Dominus dixit ad me: Filius meus est tu, ego tu, hodie genui te.
Der Herr spricht zu Mir: "Mein Sohn bist du, heute habe Ich Dich gezeugt."
The Lord said unto Me: "Your are My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

Two of theChristmas Masses are named, in German:
The first of the Christmas Masses - Missa in nocte - is Engelamt - Mass of the angels.
The Second Mass - Missa in aurura - is Hirtenamt - Mass of the Shepherds.

One of the curious customs of the Christmas octave is that the preface of the Nativity is used at all Masses celebrated during the octave. St. Stephen, St. John, the Holy Innocents, (St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Sylvester) all use the Nativity preface. The Lutheran Magdeburg Cathedral Book, the Roman Rite and the Anglican Missal all agree on this.

The Collect of the Nativity is also added to the Collect of the day being celebrated. In this way the Octave of the Nativity is commemorated in all other Masses.

Blessed are they who see Christmas through the eyes of a child.

May this be your gift at Christmas.

From the Martyrology for Christmas Day

The reading of the Martyrology for a given day is always anticipated, being read on the preceding day. Therefore, this portion of the martryology for Christmas Day may be read prior to the beginning of the Christmas Midnight Mass. It presents the time line of the Incarnation.

In the year from the creation of the world, when God created heaven and earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine; from the flood, two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven; from the birth of Abraham, two thousand and fifteen; from Moses and the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, one thousand five hundred and ten; from the anointing of King David, one thousand and thirty-two; in the sixty-fifth week, according to the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the year seven hundred and fifty-two from the foundation of the city of Rome; in the forty-second year of the empire of Octavian Augustus, when the whole world was at peace, in the sixth age of the world, Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since His conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become Man of the Virgin Mary. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

O Emmanuel

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 23 - O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine Deus noster.

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of nations and their Savior: Come, and save us, O Lord our God.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ranson captive Israel, That morns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Refrain.

O Rex Gentium

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 22 - O Rex Gentium
O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salve hominem, quem de limo formasti.

O King of Gentiles, and their Desire, the cornerstone that binds two into one: Come and save mankind whom You have fashioned out of clay.

O come Desire of Nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind, And bid their sad divisions cease, And be Thyself the King of Peace. Refrain.

O Oriens,

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 21 - O Oriens
O Oriens, speldor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et in umbra mortis.

O Dayspring, splendor of Light eternal and Sun of Justice: Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh, Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain.

O Clavis David

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 20 - O Clavis David
O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, Who opens and no one closes, Who closes and no one opens: Come, and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Refrain.

O Radix Iesse

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 19 - O Radix Iesse,

O radix Iesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before Whom all kings are mute, to Whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satin's tyrany, That trust Thy mighty power to save, And bring them victory o'er the grave. Refrain.

O Adonai

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons. These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel, Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

December 18 - O Adonai

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae furi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in bracchio extendo.

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

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 majerty and awe. Refrain.

O Sapientia

The greater antiphons at the Magnificat are begun on December 17, and are said , each on its day, until the day before the vigil of Christmas. If a feast is celebrated, they are said after the collect of the feast, for a commemoration of Advent. These antiphons are best known in the form of the hymn Veni Immanuel. Lutheran Worship, hymn 31, includes all seven of these versified antiphons.
These antiphons are listed below in Latin, in English translation, and in verse. The hymn includes the refrain "Gaude, gaude, Immanuel Nascetur pro te Israel - Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel."

December 17 - O Sapientia

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from the beginning even unto the end, mightliy ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orders all things mightliy, To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain.

Christianity Disrespects non-Christians

It is inevitable. Our Lord Himself said that "When they kill you, thay will think that they are doing God a service."

It seems that there is a town in Pennsylvania that was "required" to remove a Nativity display that had been in place for 57 years; because a (one, singular, individual) citizen deemed it to be offensive to non-Christians. The question was also raised about the "Separation of Church and State"; because the display was in a government building.

If you click on the title above, you will be directed to Glenn Beck's comments on this point. It does seem that this discussion was between Glen and one of his staff; but you will get the point.

It seems that the Devil and his band are working overtime to discredit any and all displays honoring the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ simply because these displays "disrespect non-believers.?"

It has always been my opinion that "respect" is not a right; respect is something that is earned. In modern parlance, if you say something negative about someone you "dis" (disrespect) that person. Therefore, respect is seen as a given. How, then, is it "disrespectful" to a person who simple disagrees with the statement you are making?

How can one disrespect a non-Christian merely by displaying a Nativity scene, even on "government" property, simply by it being there: the question of the (so called) separation of Church and State to the contrary notwithstanding?

The Advent Wreath - The Candles Have Names

After purchasing candles for my Advent Wreath, I read the following on the back of the box:

"For Christians, Advent is the joyous and solemn season of preparation for Christmas. It is the celebration of not only the anniversary of the first coming  of Christ, but also the hope and expectation of His second Coming. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts for four consecutive weeks.

"The most popular of all Advent customs is the Advent wreath. Many families still celebrate Advent today with a traditional Advent wreath arrangement, made up of a circle of evergreen boughs and five candles - four around the circumference of the wreath and one in the middle.

"The celebration of Advent is marked by lighting a candle on each of the four Sundays. On the first Sunday of Advent, the purple Prophecy candle is lit, reminding us that Christ's Coming was revealed to us by God through the prophets.

The purple Bethlehem candle is lit on the second Sunday, in addition to the first purple, offering light and guidance through the bright Star of Bethlehem.

On the third Sunday, the pink (Rose) Shepherd's candle is also lit, bearing the joy and glad tidings of the coming birth.

The final purple candle is added to the lighting ceremony on the fourth Sunday. This is the Angel's candle signifying Christ's presence is near.

Finally on Christmas Day, we light a large white Christ Candle to celebrate His arrival, the Light of the World."

(This description was found on a box of candles from Root Candles, Medina, Ohio 44256. I do not think that they would have a problem with you sharing this with others.)

I have known how the colors of the candles followed the liturgical colors of the Advent Sundays; but I did not know that the candles were named. I find this to be a prefiguring of the names associated (in German) with the three Masses of Christmas: First Mass - Midnight - Mass of the Angels. Second Mass - Dawn - Mass of the Shepherds. Third Mass - On the Day - (not titled in German) the Mass of His Birth.

A blessed Advent to you all.