Wednesday 18th December - bits and pieces, and the O Antiphons

I missed a Christmas Milestone yesterday;

The 7 O Antiphons are prayers that have been sung for hundreds of years at the end of Advent from 17th to 23rd December. The link will take you to the Guildford Cathedral site with more information.

Yesterday's antiphon was O Sapienta.

17 December – O Sapientia

Here's the English translation 

 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

'Come and teach us the way of prudence' is the phrase that stays with me.

Well, I've missed the day, but never mind. I'll put a reminder in my calendar for next Christmas. 

18 December – O Adonai

And for today,

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm. cf Exodus 3.2; 24.12

I like the thought of Jesus reaching out to me with an outstretched arm.

.....

Posting of Christmas cards, and also of the December Cover Story Collaboration to Ang was today's most important item on the to-do list. It was the last day for 2nd class post and I am so pleased to have done that. Just email and hand-delivered left.

Yesterday I completed day-number-I-haven't-a-clue for the Corinne Lapierre, all but for 8 white French knots. I added them this morning;

Once I've finished tapping in all my typos in this blog post I shall add 5 lanterns, one small branch and a string of fairy lights. That will be day-sonething-or-other completed!

I tested one of my Nigel Slater potions today, just a tiny sip at the bottom of one birthday liqueur glasses. Mmmm. Prunes and golden raisins in dessert wine. Like a sherry, but not as sweet.

The contents of the potion jars do look a little like medical specimens. I try not to dwell on that thought...

I only had a taste as we were about to embark upon Decorating The Tree. It's up, and lit, and tinselled and has a star on top. Tomorrow will be baubles and clearing up day.