Daily Readings:
Sainst/Martyrs/Heroes/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Advent fo the Nativity
Las Posadas, (Lesser Festival) P - ELCA
Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration with origins in Spain, nowaday celebrated chiefly in Mexico, beginning December 16th and ending December 24th, on evenings (about 8 or 10 PM).
1. Etymology
Posada is Spanish for "lodging", or "accommodation"; it is said in plural because it is celebrated more than one day in that period
2. Historical meaning
3. Reenactment
Typically, each family in a neighborhood will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th. Every home has a nativity scene and the hosts of the Posada act as the innkeepers. The neighborhood children and adults are the pilgrims (peregrinos), who have to request lodging by going house to house singing a traditional song about the pilgrims. All the pilgrims carry small lit candles in their hands, and four people carry small statues of Joseph leading a donkey, on which Mary is riding. The head of the procession will have a candle inside a paper lamp shade. At each house, the resident responds by refusing lodging (also in song), until the weary travelers reach the designated site for the party, where Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. Once the "innkeepers" let them in, the group of guests come into the home and kneel around the Nativity scene to pray (typically, the Rosary). Latin American countries have continued to celebrate this holiday to this day, with very few changes to the tradition. In some places, the final location may be a church instead of a home. Individuals may actually play the various parts of Mary (María) and Joseph with the expectant mother riding a real donkey (burro), with attendants such as angels and shepherds acquired along the way, or the pilgrims may carry images of the holy personages instead. At the end of the long journey, there will be Christmas carols (villancicos), children will break open piñatas by striking these colorful papier-maché objects with bats while blindfolded to obtain candy hidden inside, and there will be a feast. Traditionally, it is expected to meet all the invitees in a previous procession. They also play pinata. Pinatas are made out of clay.
3. 1. See also
•Pedir posada
Litany Para Pedir Posada (English: Asking for a place to stay) is a song traditionally sung in The Posadas — Traditional Christmas celebrations in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. In Mexico, posadas are part of what has recently been called The Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon
1. Lyrics
Spanish
English
Afuera:
En nombre del cielo
Os pido posada
Pues no puede andar
Mi esposa amada Outside - Joseph asks:
(In the name of heaven)
(I request you grant us shelter)
(Given that she cannot walk)
(She my beloved wife)
Adentro:
Aquí no es mesón
Sigan adelante
Yo no puedo abrir
No sea algun tunante Inside - "Probable" host answers:
(This is not an Inn)
(Please continue ahead)
(I can not open)
(You may be a robber)
Afuera:
No seas inhumano
Tennos caridad
Que el Rey de los cielos
Te lo premiará Outside - Joseph replies:
(Do not be inhumane)
(grant us charity)
(Since the King of heavens)
(Will prize you for that)
Adentro:
Ya se pueden ir
Y no molestar
porque si me enfado
Os voy a apalear Inside - Still "probable" host answers:
(You can already go away)
(and do not bother)
(because if I get upset)
(I will beat you up)
Afuera:
Venimos rendidos
Desde Nazaret
Yo soy carpintero
De nombre José Outside - Joseph insists:
(We come exhausted)
(From Nazareth)
(I am a carpenter)
(Named Joseph)
Adentro:
No me importa el nombre
Déjenme dormir
Porque ya les digo
Que no hemos de abrir Inside - Still unconvinced host replies:
(I don't care about your name)
(Let me go to sleep)
(Because, as I said)
(We shall not open)
Afuera:
Posada te pide
Amado casero
Por sólo una noche
La reina del cielo Outside - Joseph expects reasoning:
(She asks you shelter)
(Dear innkeeper)
(for just one night)
(She, the queen of heaven)
Adentro:
Pues si es una reina
Quien lo solicita
¿Cómo es que de noche
Anda tan solita? Inside - Almost convinced host asks:
(So, if it's a queen)
(who's asking for it,)
(how is it that at night)
(she travels so alone?)
Afuera:
Mi esposa es María
Es reina del cielo
Y madre va a ser
Del divino verbo Outside - Joseph answers:
(My wife is Mary)
(She's the Heavenly Queen)
(And she'll be mother)
(Of the divine word)
Adentro:
¿Eres tú José?
¿Tu esposa es María?
Entren peregrinos
No los conocía Inside - Convinced host finally offers shelter:
(Are you Joseph?)
(Is your wife Mary?)
(Come in, pilgrims)
(I did not know you)
Afuera:
Dios pague, señores
Vuestra caridad
Y que os colme el cielo
De felicidad Outside - Joseph gratefully says:
(May God pay, sirs)
(your charity)
(And may heaven swamp you)
(With happiness)
Adentro:
Dichosa la casa
Que alberga este día
A la virgen pura
La hermosa María Inside - Host replies:
(Happy be the house)
(That this day hosts)
(The pure virgin)
(The beautiful Mary)
Everyone:
Spanish English
¡Entren santos peregrinos!
¡Reciban éste rincón!
Que aunque es pobre la morada
¡Se las doy de corazón!
¡Cantemos con alegría!
¡Todos al considerar!
¡Que Jesús, José y María
nos vinieron hoy a honrar! (Come in, holy pilgrims!)
(Receive this corner!)
(Because, even though the place is poor)
(I offer it to you from my heart!)
(Lets sing with joy!)
(Everyone at the thought!)
(That Jesus, Joseph and Mary)
(Came today to honour us!)
•Novena
In the Catholic Church, a novena is a devotion consisting of a prayer repeated on nine successive days, asking to obtain special graces. The prayers may come from short prayer books, recitation of the Rosary, or short prayers through the day. There are four recognized categories of novenae: those of mourning, preparation, prayer, and those which are indulgenced; however, a given novena can belong to more than one of these categories. Often, a special candle is lit at the beginning of the novena, which burns during the nine days of prayer.
Image on the Novena candles of the shrine of Warfhuizen during the pilgrimage-season of 2008-2009
The practice of saying novenas is derived from Scripture, but it was also influenced by Greek and Roman family or private practices of nine days of mourning, followed by a feast, after the death of a loved one. [1]
According to Scripture, after Jesus' Ascension into heaven, he told his disciples to pray together in the upper room and devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). Doctrine proposes that the Apostles, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other followers of Jesus prayed together for nine consecutive days, concluding in the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Though the novena is primarily a devotion used by members of the Catholic Church, it is also practiced by some Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran Christians.
1. See also
•Marian devotions - Miraculous Medal novena
•Las Posadas
2. References
1."Novena". Catholic Encyclopedia. 1913. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11141b.htm.
3. Bibliography
•Right Reverend Monsignor Joseph F. Stedman, The New Revised 'Triple' Novena Manual, Confraternity of the Precious Blood, 1975.
•Barbara Calamari & Sandra DiPasqua, Novena, Penguin Studio, 1999. ISBN 0-670-88444-8
3. 2. References
3. 3. External links
•Christmas in Mexico
•Mexico's Christmas
•Christmas in Mexico Part-1
•Christmas in Mexico Part-2
•Feliz Navidad
Scriptural Readings:
ELCA Readings:
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Psalm 80
1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
17But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
19Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
2 Samuel 7:1-17
2 Samuel 7:1-17
7Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. 17In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
Galatians 3:23-29
Galatians 3:23-2923Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
LCMS Readings:
December 16th, 2010
Thursday of Gaudete (Advent 3)
Read today's Higher Things Daily Reflection
December 16, 2010 - Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 32:1-20; Revelation 4:1-11
The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These strange creatures that St. John witnesses around God's throne have been attached to the Four Evangelists in Christian tradition. That is, each of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are pictured by one of these four faces that are seen on these creatures around the Lord's throne. So what does that have to do with Advent? With the Gospels?
When St. John is given the vision of the throne of God, it is for our sake. It is so that we will know that what happens at the throne of God in all of His glory is now ours through faith in Jesus Christ. The Four Evangelists and the creatures picturing them teach us that the Good News of our salvation is to go forth to the “four winds” (or, as we might think of them today, the four points of the compass) that is, into all the world.
God's glory is for all people. Jesus came for everyone. No one is left out. There is not a list of people who are exceptions, for whom Christ did not die. You may feel like that some days—that your sins are so big there's no way the Savior could be YOUR Savior. Perhaps you are worried by the guilt of something you've done. Worry no longer, for there is no sin and no person who is beyond the blood of Jesus that was shed on Calvary.
The creatures around the throne of God glorify Him by declaring the Lord's praises. Likewise, God is glorified when the preaching and teaching of Jesus goes to the ends of the earth. When people hear and believe the words of the Four Gospels, the Lord's glory has come to this world.
Advent points us to the Lord's first coming in the flesh at His birth and His Second Coming in glory. But tying those two together are His coming to us now, through His Word and the Gospel that is preached, to which these four awesome creatures point. That's the Good News that speaks Jesus and His forgiveness to you. That's His Advent to you now, to give you eternal life. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Oh, brighter than that glorious morn Shall dawn upon our race The day when Christ in splendor comes And we shall see His face. (LSB 348:4)
Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflectons Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.
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Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Is. 32:1-20
A King Will Reign in Righteousness
1Behold,(A) a king will reign in righteousness,
and princes will rule in justice. 2(B) Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a shelter from the storm,(C) like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. 3(D) Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will give attention. 4The heart of the hasty will understand and know,
(E) and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly. 5(F) The fool will no more be called noble,
nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. 6For(G) the fool speaks folly,
and his heart is busy with iniquity,to practice ungodliness,
to utter error concerning the LORD,(H) to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,
and to deprive the thirsty of drink. 7As for the scoundrel—(I) his devices are evil;
he plans wicked schemesto ruin the poor with lying words,
even when the plea of the needy is right. 8But he who is noble plans noble things,
and on noble things he stands.
Complacent Women Warned of Disaster
9(J) Rise up, you women(K) who are at ease, hear my voice;
you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. 10In little more than a year
you will shudder, you complacent women;for the grape harvest fails,
the fruit harvest will not come. 11Tremble, you women(L) who are at ease,
shudder, you complacent ones;(M) strip, and make yourselves bare,
(N) and tie sackcloth around your waist. 12(O) Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vine, 13(P) for the soil of my people
growing up in thorns and briers,(Q) yes, for all the joyous houses
in the exultant city. 14For the palace is forsaken,
the populous city deserted;the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,(R) a joy of wild donkeys,
a pasture of flocks; 15until(S) the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and(T) the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. 16Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. 17(U) And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust[a] forever. 18My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. 19(V) And it will hail when the forest falls down,
(W) and the city will be utterly laid low. 20(X) Happy are you who sow beside all waters,
who let the feet of the ox and the donkey range free.
Footnotes:Isaiah 32:17 Or security
Cross references:Isaiah 32:1 : Psalm 72:1, 2, 4; Jer 23:5; Isaiah 11:1-4 Isaiah 32:2 : Isaiah 4:6; 25:4 Isaiah 32:2 : Isaiah 33:21 Isaiah 32:3 : Isaiah 29:18 Isaiah 32:4 : Isaiah 35:6 Isaiah 32:5 : Isaiah 5:20 Isaiah 32:6 : 1 Sam 24:13 Isaiah 32:6 : Isaiah 3:14, 15 Isaiah 32:7 : Mic 2:1, 2 Isaiah 32:9 : Isaiah 3:16–4:1 Isaiah 32:9 : Amos 6:1 Isaiah 32:11 : Isaiah 32:9 Isaiah 32:11 : Isaiah 47:2, 3 Isaiah 32:11 : Gen 37:34 Isaiah 32:12 : Isaiah 24:7 Isaiah 32:13 : Isaiah 7:23; 34:13; Hos 9:6 Isaiah 32:13 : Isaiah 24:11, 12 Isaiah 32:14 : Jer 2:24 Isaiah 32:15 : Isaiah 11:2; Joel 2:28 Isaiah 32:15 : Isaiah 35:1, 2; Isaiah 29:17 Isaiah 32:17 : James 3:18; Isaiah 1:27; Psalm 72:3; 119:165 Isaiah 32:19 : Isaiah 28:2, 17 Isaiah 32:19 : Isaiah 26:5 Isaiah 32:20 : Eccles 11:1; Isaiah 30:23
Second Reading: Rev. 4:1-11
The Throne in Heaven
1After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me(A) like a trumpet, said, (B) "Come up here, and(C) I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once(D) I was in the Spirit, and behold,(E) a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3And he who sat there had the appearance of(F) jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was(G) a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4Around the throne were(H) twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders,(I) clothed in white garments, with(J) golden crowns on their heads. 5From the throne came(K) flashes of lightning, and rumblings[a] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning(L) seven torches of fire,(M) which are the seven spirits of God, 6and before the throne there was(N) as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are(O) four living creatures,(P) full of eyes in front and behind: 7(Q) the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8And the four living creatures,(R) each of them with six wings, are(S) full of eyes all around and within, and(T) day and night they never cease to say,
(U) "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
(V) who was and is and is to come!"
9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne,(W) who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders(X) fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast(Y) their crowns before the throne, saying,
11(Z) "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,for(AA) you created all things,
and(AB) by your will they existed and were created."
Footnotes:Revelation 4:5 Or voices, or sounds
Cross references:Revelation 4:1 : Revelation 1:10; Exodus 19:19, 20 Revelation 4:1 : Revelation 11:12 Revelation 4:1 : Revelation 1:1, 19; 22:6 Revelation 4:2 : Revelation 1:10 Revelation 4:2 : Psalm 11:4; 103:19; Isa 66:1; Matt 5:34; 23:22; 1 Kgs 22:19 Revelation 4:3 : Revelation 21:11 Revelation 4:3 : Ezek 1:28; Revelation 10:1; Gen 9:13-17 Revelation 4:4 : Revelation 11:16 Revelation 4:4 : Revelation 3:4 Revelation 4:4 : Revelation 4:10; James 1:12 Revelation 4:5 : Revelation 8:5; 11:19; 16:18; Exodus 19:16 Revelation 4:5 : Zech 4:2 Revelation 4:5 : Revelation 1:4 Revelation 4:6 : Revelation 15:2; Revelation 21:18, 21; Psalm 77:19 Revelation 4:6 : Ezek 1:5 Revelation 4:6 : Ezek 10:12 Revelation 4:7 : Ezek 1:10; 10:14 Revelation 4:8 : Isa 6:2 Revelation 4:8 : Revelation 4:6 Revelation 4:8 : Revelation 14:11 Revelation 4:8 : Isa 6:3 Revelation 4:8 : Revelation 1:4 Revelation 4:9 : Revelation 1:18; 5:13; 15:7; Dan 4:34; 12:7 Revelation 4:10 : Revelation 5:8, 14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4 Revelation 4:10 : Revelation 4:4 Revelation 4:11 : Revelation 5:12 Revelation 4:11 : Revelation 10:6; 14:7; Gen 1:1; Acts 14:15 Revelation 4:11 : Psalm 33:9-11; Eph 1:11
Thursday Father Reading
"Christ's Body is made present by the operation of the Holy Spirit. So each person receives Christ the Lord, and in each portion He is present in His entirety." [St. Gregory the Great. "Sacramentary: Preface for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany." 7th Century]
All Scripture Readings: English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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