Vol. 1, Issue 2: Praying with the Prophecies
Advent is drawing to a close and Christmas is drawing near
Dear friends!
It is such a joy to have you with us again for our second edition of Signs + Seasons. The response to our inaugural issue on December 1 was so lovely, and we consider ourselves so blessed to be able to share these wonderful resources with you. We’re back today with a slight focus on the O Antiphons in preparation for the Christmas Octave, which is fast approaching!
The O Antiphons allow us to hold the tension of staying in Advent while knowing that Christmas is coming. We’re preparing for Christmas, but we aren’t in the Christmas season yet. We are invited to enter into the prophecies of the Messiah, to enter into the hope of Israel for a savior, while also knowing the ways in which these prophecies will be fulfilled on Christmas. We are invited to ponder “in advance” the identity of the Christ, the Messiah, who we know will be born in the manger on Christmas, but who we are, with Israel, still awaiting.
Many of the posts shared below converge on these themes—whether or not they specifically center on the Antiphons—of waiting, hoping, preparing, and remembering. This unique season of Advent, where we both look backward to the first coming of Christ and look forward to His second coming, is such a gift for us, although not always one we know quite how to accept. So often, it feels like our struggles or our seasons of life prevent us from living out our call to holiness, prevent us from entering into the sacramental and liturgical seasons… but I like to think that, if we can shift our perspective just a smidge, we can begin to see these things as invitations to enter into the mysteries of our faith more deeply. Our hope is that these lovely resources allow you to find yourself drawn in during these last days of Advent, in whatever season or stress or struggle you might find yourself.
Our next issue will cover the Christmas season through the 12 days and Epiphany. We’re not there yet, but we will be soon.
In Christ,
From the Editors
Chanting the O Antiphons
- and walk you through the traditional Gregorian chants for the O Antiphons as a way to pray them however best suits you—Latin or English, sung alone or in a group. (Also included: beginner-friendly recordings and chant notation, so you can learn and sing along!)
Saint Thomas divine, / brewing, baking...
- continues her discussion of Thomasmas with some apocryphal lore, agricultural traditions, and a medieval recipe for gingerbread! Thomasmas invites us to build time for rest into our preparations for Christmas, whether those preparations include brewing, baking, or gift-wrapping.
Around Substack
O Antiphons - An Ancient Call of Messianic Hope
- offers an introduction to the O Antiphons and their history, from the Old Testament texts through the monastic origins and into their use in today’s Liturgy of the Hours. (You may also enjoy her posts from the first and second Sundays of Advent.)
The Major Antiphons of Advent
- will be sharing a daily post from December 17-23, breaking down the text and going in-depth with the scriptural and traditional meaning of the Major Antiphon for each day—this link is your “table of contents” to access each post as it goes live!
Cheerio Antiphons
- offers a touching reflection on what it might have been like to live with the Christ Child, inviting Him (and us!) into family in this season of Advent. “Come to our dirty dishes, our long days, our snack times, our laundry rooms, our rocking chairs, our Goldfish-crusted car seats. Guide us toward Bethlehem.”
The Love Song of Our Lady of O
- ’s award winning poem “The Love Song of Our Lady of O” was recently set to music! “In the poem, Mary sings the words from the O antiphons to the baby Jesus in her womb.” Catch up on the story here, and stay tuned—Roseanne will add an audio version when it becomes available.
Las Posadas
- breaks down the nuts and bolts of celebrating a posada—a Hispanic tradition of walking with Mary and Joseph as they look for a place to stay in Bethlehem. This weeklong practice strikes me as a kind of living novena! (Also included: some classic recipes you won’t want to miss.)
Waiting at 30th Street Station
- reflects on waiting, literature, and the lives of the saints (some of my favorite things!) in the context of a recent journey by train, encouraging us to remain hopeful when we are in a season of waiting and worrying that some good gift will pass us by.
O Come, O Come, O Jingle Bells
- gathers us around the Advent wreath to sing Jingle Bells as we revel in the joyous waiting and preparation of this unique season. “Advent is a season of waiting, and it’s helpful to remind myself of what we’re waiting for: a baby. This waiting requires preparation, but it’s also peppered with joy.”
Incarnation Hymn
- offers us a beautiful hymn she’s written to help us meditate on the scandalous goodness of the Incarnation. With eight syllables per line, it’s easily sung to many of your favorite hymn-tunes, and it’s rich in scriptural references throughout.
Remembering the Darkness, Remembering the Light
- shares a story of getting lost in the dark, only to be rescued by the light, inviting us to trust God in the midst of the darkness and to continue holding the already-but-not-yet tension of this season of Advent. (You may also enjoy his reflections on St. Nicholas!)
An Ecumenical Mess
- shares how his faith has been shaped by the churches he’s attended in the past and explains how leaning into the liturgical calendar is anchoring his practice of the faith as he and his family pursue unity and wholeness in the Church.
Liturgical Living Made Accessible and Year-Round Beer Bread
- and his wife share their thoughts and practical resources for living liturgically within the needs, preferences, and limitations of your family—and a dummy-proof recipe for beer bread that can be adjusted for the season! (The Lent version had me in hysterics.)
Around the Web
4 New Christmas Books to Deepen Your Joy as You Celebrate Jesus
- is recommending four books for your Advent and Christmas reading—all published in 2023, so they’re likely titles you haven’t read before! There’s still time to get some good reading in before the New Year!
A Remaining Christmas
This 1928 essay by Hilaire Belloc on some beloved Christmas traditions—and their vital importance in a quickly-changing world— is sure to warm your heart!
The Great O Antiphons Printables & Ornaments
For those who are looking to incorporate the O Antiphons into their Advent decor, I present to you some lovely printables from
, these free printable ornaments from The Homely Hours, or this coloring page!
Thank you again for joining us today, and know that you remain in our prayers over these comings weeks. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Join us for our third edition of Signs + Seasons!
Publication Date: January 1, 2024
Submission Deadline: December 28, 2023
Theme/Recommended Prompt: 12 Days of Christmas, Christmas Season, Epiphany
In Christ,
Sara, Dixie, & Kristin
I mentioned some trivia about Filipino neighborhood feast-days and it was suggested I write something for that (but not yet). When is the appropriate time for that? That ideas floating around in the back of my mind.
This is a great resource--this feels like a curation thing but it's deliberately themed which is cool. It allows access to so many other newsletters and publications with it's rotating centerpiece! It's a very clever idea. Well done, and keep going!
You guys did it again! Can’t wait to curl up and dig in 🥰