Antiphon
O Sapientia

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.
(cf Ecclesiasticus 24.3; Wisdom 8.1)

Readings (Click the links to see the readings)

Genesis 49.2, 8-10 | Psalm 12.1-7 | Matthew 1.1-17 |

Come
by Christina Rossetti

'Come,' Thou dost say to Angels,
To blessed Spirits, 'Come':
'Come,' to the lambs of Thine own flock,
Thy little ones, 'Come home.' 'Come,' from the many-mansioned house
The gracious word is sent;
'Come,' from the ivory palaces
Unto the Penitent. O Lord, restore us deaf and blind,
Unclose our lips though dumb:
Then say to us, 'I will come with speed,'
And we will answer, 'Come.' —The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti, ed. W.M. Rossetti (1904)

Be-Attitude: Blessed are the poor and those who are with them in spirit.
('Be-Attitudes', from David Andrews. Plan Be. Authentic, 2008.)

Prayer

Loving God, you made the stars, the moon and the sun to give light and rhythm to our lives. The season of Advent invites us to prepare our hearts and homes to receive the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Send us your Holy Spirit, like a guiding star to lead us in this Advent season so that we may be ready to celebrate with great joy and happiness the birth of your Son.
—Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission of Aotearoa New Zealand (adapted)

Justice, mercy and peace

Anglican Oveseas Aid works in a number of countries. Particularly pressing now its support for the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. For the people of Gaza, the ongoing Israeli blockade is a disaster. Severe restrictions on the flow of goods and services means even basic food items, when they are available, are now unaffordable to most families. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) around 325,000 people are believed to be living in abject poverty, unable to meet their daily food needs. Across Gaza, parents are struggling to feed their children. Health conditions for Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants are deteriorating rapidly due to poor water quality and failing sanitation systems along with the damage to infrastructure, homes and businesses inflicted by Israel's attacks in December 2008 and January 2009. Shortages of electricity and consumables limit the effectiveness of treatment and care. All health facilities are experiencing shortages of medication, drugs, medical supplies, fuel and spare parts. The permit delays at border crossings are also denying Gaza patients access to specialised care that is only available outside Gaza. Staff at Al Ahli Arab Hospital report dozens of patient deaths either in Gaza hospitals or at the Erez checkpoint because of access restrictions.

Pure silver crystal. Photo: Heinrich Pniok.
"The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground (Psalm 12.6)

Seven Magnificat Antiphons, for chorus (1988-1991), no. 1
Arvo Pärt
Magnificat Antiphonen: No. 1: O Weisheit
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tönu Kaljuste.