December 17 (O Wisdom)

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Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!  

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.  

Isaiah had prophesied: "The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:2-3 "[...] he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom." Isaiah 28:29  

O Sapientia: O Wisdom 

(Written by Ruben Luna)  

I wait for Grace.

Her body is forming behind the great veil and I cannot guide or help. Her parts coming together beyond my eyes and I cannot confirm their place. She remains covered, far away from my restless worry, safe from my anxious being. She works with consecrated blueprints that are beyond my understanding. She governs her in love and beauty from her beginning through all of her days. And so I loose all control as she is being formed and woven together. In all her ways she reveals His love and design and leads us into the way of life. Oh how she gives me holy peace, how my fears are quieted and my trust like a frail tower is being built.  

And I wait for Grace.

She arrives from the very heart of the creator with the breath of Three in her voice. She calls for faith and trust and makes appeals for me to release my control, my power, my futile planning. It takes all of me to turn from my ways and trust her, wait on her, give her my heart and simply surrender in her arms.  

And I wait for Grace.

To my surprise just as I give up and release my strength, she fills me with peace and joy.  She lights my path and directs me in His ways. My heart overflows with confidence and I rejoice, I rejoice in His strong yet tender care. Is it any wonder that the man who could of asked for anything, asked for her by name? 

And I wait for Grace.

My fear and worry has become my Joy and my Peace. Her sweet voice full of love calling me deeper into his inner being and I discover love. His perfect love cleanses and makes me new.  O Wisdom how can I thank you for leading me into hope as I wait for Grace.  

O come Thou Wisdom from on high

And order all things far and nigh

To us the path of knowledge show

And cause us in her ways to go

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

The Magnificat (Song of Mary) - Luke 1:46-55

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

And my spirit does rejoice in God my Savior

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

And my spirit does rejoice in God my Savior  

Praise the Almighty God, He’s done great things for us

Holy is His name

Praise the Almighty God, He’s done great things for us

Holy is His name  

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; 

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.  

He has mercy on those who fear him 

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.   

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.  

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Musical refrain by J. Brooke Fenwick