Week 3 - Saturday
Scripture Reflection:
The "O" Antiphons:
Come, Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)
"Come, Emmanuel,
God's presence among us, our King, our Judge:
save us, Lord our God!"
The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. The "O" Antiphons have been called a "very unique work of art and a special ornament of the pre-Christmas liturgy."
Advent Opportunities:
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confessions will be heard today between 11:00 - 12:00pm and 2:30 - 4:30pm.
Guide for Examination of Conscience for Confession of Sins
"Las Posadas"
In
Mexico, Christmas is an important holiday season with strong traditions.
One of the most colorful traditions is the posada festivity,
celebrated every evening from December 16 to 24. These celebrations
commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth
to Bethlehem in search of shelter. "Posada" in Spanish, simply
means lodging or shelter. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious
and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.
Each one of these nights before Christmas, a gathering is held in a home in the neighborhood. There is plenty of food and drink, with candies and fruit for the children. At dusk, all the guests, the parade of Santos Peregrinos (Holy Pilgrims) gather outside the house. A small child dressed as an angel leads, followed by children carrying figures of Mary and Joseph. Boys and girls dressed in silver and gold robes constitute the procession, followed by the adults and musicians. Everyone sings “villancicos” traditional litany songs as they walk slowly along, carrying their lit candles. When they reach the house, the group divides in two. One half remains outside and begs for shelter from the other half, which is inside the house. The doors are then opened, the religious part of the celebration ends, and the fun begins. This is an active way of teaching children the story of the Nativity.
The happy end to each posada has always been the piñata. A piñata is a fragile earthenware jar covered with paper mache, traditionally made in the shape of a star, to recall the one that so mysteriously guided the Three Kings to the newborn Jesus. Eventually the seven-pointed star--representing the seven deadly sins--became the traditional form for Christmas piñatas. The deeper meaning of breaking the piñata is thus considered to be the destruction of evil forces, the victory of good over evil. Covering the eyes of the person who tries to smash the piñata is symbolic of blind faith, which is rewarded with the pleasantries of heaven, represented by the sweets spilled from within the pot. Now piñatas come in all shapes and sizes and are filled with candy, toys, and sometimes money.
In the old days, the last posada held on December 24 was most popular, because it was followed by midnight Mass. In the provinces of Mexico, this tradition lives on.
A special thanks to Edgar Briseņo for submitting this reflection.
