THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. David Clifford
As a life-long learner, I am always coming across information that I find utterly fascinating. I usually share my learnings and fascinations with my family at dinner only to find that the things I spend most of the day contemplating aren’t as interesting as I first thought. Families can be humbling in that regard. However, I have this entire page in our newsletter to share some maybe-not-so-interesting learnings with each of you as we have started of our Advent season of preparation and expectant waiting.
I recently came across an interesting bit of information about one of my favorite Advent hymns. For those that might not know, the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was originally written in Latin. The original hymn is believed to have been sung as a collection of antiphons—a short chant or refrain. The repeating, “O Come, O Come” is derived from the chanting of “O” before each antiphon in the original Latin text. While the English version of the hymn changes the order of the antiphons, scholars have found an interesting riddle in what they believe is the original order.
The antiphons, in their original order, begin as such: O Sapientia (Wisdom); O Adonai (Lord); O Radix Jesse (Stem or Root of Jesse); O Clavis David (Key of David); O Oriens (Dayspring); O Rex gentium (King of Gentiles, or nations); O Emmanuel (God-with-us).
If one was to take the first letter of each antiphon, after the “O” you would get the letters: S-A-R-C-O-R-E. For those that might not know Latin, this means nothing. However, if you read them backwards the letters form a two-word acrostic “Ero Cras,” which means “I will be here tomorrow.”
British hymnologist, J.R. Watson, provides some context for the antiphons:
The antiphons, sometimes called the “O antiphons” or “The Great O’s,” were designated to concentrate the mind on the coming Christmas, enriching the meaning of the Incarnation with a complex series of references from the Old and New Testaments.
It is believed that these ancient chants would be sung in monasteries the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve. The ritual itself would cause the communities to reflect upon the coming of the Christ-child and all that he will be for the world. It is now also believed that this hidden riddle could have served as a reminder that the Christ-child would be here the next day once each antiphon had been sung. Of course, only those with ears to hear would have received this most important message.
I pray that as we participate in our own rituals of preparation and waiting for the Christ-child this Advent, we may each have the ears to be reminded of this most important lesson. Christ will be here tomorrow! May we each live our lives as if Christ is coming now. After all, this is what we are preparing for.
Advent Peace,
Rev. David Clifford
“Prepare the Way of the Lord; Make His Path Straight”
By Barbara Kammerlohr
(On Sunday morning, the choir helped usher in the season of Advent)
This is the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas when Christians prepare their hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ. The practice started 700 years before that Holy birth in Bethlehem. It was then that the Prophet Isaiah foretold the Messianic coming and instructed the people to make a path for him through the wilderness. Later, John the Baptist quoted Isaiah as he too asked his followers to prepare the way through the wilderness.
Today, Christians everywhere set aside the weeks of Advent to “prepare the way of the Lord”. However, we now understand the “wilderness” to be the wilderness of our hearts and look inward to make a path for Christ. Methods of “Preparing the way through the wilderness” of the heart is different for everyone.
For that reason, I asked several members of our congregation to share how they “Prepare the way of the Lord”. Their answers follow; you may find some of them helpful as you try to prepare the way through the wilderness of your own heart and find inspiration for this Holy season.
Sue Wilson. “The whole season makes me think of Christ: the church services, the seasonal music, the lights, candles. I love lighting candles and listening to music. It is also meaningful to learn the music and perform it. Getting decorations out is another way. I put out my nativity scenes, many candles and lights. My Christmas books go on the table with other decorations. I love lights. All of this reminds me of the miracle of Christ.”
Barbara Chaney adds an Advent devotion to her normal daily devotions (prayer and readings from The Secret Place, the little magazine available from the church throughout the year. She also includes Advent in her daily prayers. “I pray that
Christ does not get lost in all the hustle and bustle.” Doing this keeps her aware that Advent promotes the realization that it is all about the renewal that started with a little baby”.
Debbie Enyart “The season itself is just a very special time for me. The hope I feel during this time permeates everything, even changes the atmosphere. It is such a special season. I use the devotions in The Secret Place and The Adventcalendar of Devotions that is available from the church.
Bill Aldridge also adds an Advent component to his daily devotions and scripture readings. He points out, however, that during this season, the daily scripture readings inevitably focus on passages about “preparing the way of the Lord” and few changes to his daily devotional routine are required. He too helps decorate his home with a Nativity scene and other decorations that create an atmosphere to remind him of what a Holy time this is. One task that is uniquely Bill’s, however, is that of changing the chimes at church. This has become part of his Advent routine.
Cindy Evans finds inspiration by attending church service and community Advent events such as the Alice P. Taylor Candlelight concert. She also incorporates Advent into her daily prayer life. Like so many others, it is primarily the atmosphere that reminds her of what a special season this is.
Comfort Food
by Dina Campbell
The time period in which the Deacons took over the responsibility for the bereavement dinners at First Christian is in my mind murky at best. I have a recollection of helping with a dinner and remember after we had served and finished cleaning up, Martha Ann Otey declaring, “We are just too old to keep doing this.” At that time the women of the church were divided into groups and shared responsibilities for the dinners. I proposed that the Deacons might take over the responsibility for the bereavement meals. I can’t recall if it was in the late 1980’s, early 1990’s or late 1990’s. It is safe to say the Deacons have been providing bereavement dinner to members for at least 20-25 years, perhaps even more.
The bereavement committee consists of almost everyone in the church. If you have ever prepared a dish, assisted with set up, helped to break down tables and chairs, decorated, helped serve the meal or cleaned up afterward……then you are a part of the bereavement team. It could not be done by just a few, as they say “it takes a village.” The Deacons provide the main course and various church members prepare dishes to accompany the main course. And of course, there are always desserts to finish off the meal.
The main perk in being the organizer of the dinners is the gratitude and appreciation expressed by the family for this service. When a family is at their lowest, grief stricken, overwhelmed and often exhausted, it is one less thing they have to think about. It allows the family to spend some precious time together with extended family and out of town friends before many head out to other places.
I believe that this is a valuable outreach that touches many people both in and out of our church. A bereavement meal is a testament to the love of our church family.
SPRINKLES OF JOY
Congratulations to Hollan Monroe Clifford. She was selected as Leader of the Month for Jefferson Elementary School. Hollan Monroe is the daughter of David & Onnastasia Clifford.
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On November 19, Dr. Tom and Jeanne Marie Gadient welcomed their first grandchild, Alexandra Marie Gadient. The proud parents are Paul and Lauren Gadient. Proud great grandmother
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Congratulations to Taylor Womack who was selected a Henderson County High School Colonel of the Month. The school’s web page cites her outstanding commitment as one of the primary reasons. She is the daughter of Nic and Sarah Womack.
ANOUNCEMENTS
Pledge Cards: Please don’t forget to return your Pledge Card. You can mail it, drop it off at the church office, or place it in the offering plate. The pledge cards help the budgeting process significantly.
The Men’s breakfast is Sunday, December 4 at 8:00 in the fellowship hall.
Congregational note: The Transitional Board has accepted the nominating committee's recommendation of officers for next year's board: Chair: Nic Womack (1 year); Vice-Chair: Sandra Deitz (2 years); Treasurer: Barbara Chaney (1 year); Secretary: Cheryl Griffee (2 years). The congregation will vote to approve these positions at the annual congregational meeting on December 4, following worship.
Our Christmas Dinner will be on Sunday Dec. 11, following morning worship. The Meat, Drinks, Rolls and Desserts will be furnished. Mark those calendars and bring your favorite vegetable or salad dish and enjoy the followship. Also, planning on having a special guest. Sign up will be on Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th in the attendance register. Any questions contact Mrs. Gail Myers 270-831-0745.
The Senior Saints Christmas luncheon will be held on Tuesday, December 13, at 11:30 am. Everyone is asked to bring a small gift to exchange. The meal will be catered. Please RSVP as early as possible.
This year’s Christmas Eve Service will be held December 24 @ 9 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join us as we gather to hear the Christmas story through Scripture and song.
