Thoughts for the Day

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?'

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief...

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The final 7th 'O antiphon' gives us the last title for the coming Messiah. It is 'Emmanuel' or 'Immanuel'. Both mean the same thing, that is, 'God with us', and we see both in our Bible. 'Immanuel' is found in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), and 'Emmanuel' in the New Testament. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, but the New Testament was written in Greek.

The antiphon for today is:

'O Emmanuel, you are our king and our judge,
the One whom the peoples await and their Saviour.
O come and save us, Lord our God.'

These words come from Isaiah 7.14 where he says that a very special child will be born and that he will be the presence of God dwelling among us. Today, in the words from Peter's Epistle we also remember that this special child, Jesus, is the Son of God and while we look forward to remembering his birth at Christmas we look forward to 'the Day of the Lord', the time when he will return to make all things new. Finally we also remember that He is with us now in the good and the bad times of this Christmas.

O Wisdom,
O Adonai,
O Root of Jesse,
O Key of David,
O Dayspring,
O King of the Nations,
O Emmanuel,
Come to Your people,
as we say 'Maranatha' -
Come, Lord, Come!
Amen.