O Antiphon for December 21
O Oriens (O Rising Dawn) (Zac 6: 12), Radiance of the Light eternal (Hab 3: 4) and Sun of Justice (Mal 3: 20); Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness & the shadow of death (Ps 107: 10; Lk 1: 78).
In my monastic world, we don't begin decorating the Church or the monastery until as late as possible (this year the decorating begins tomorrow). So, the beautiful 12 foot Noble Fir sits in the truck until it takes it place of honor in the Church.
11 comments:
Oh, I'm glad to hear it. We just put up our tree tonight and we keep it up at least until the Orthodox Christmas. Your Noble fir will look lovely.
When we 1st moved to the US in the early '70s, we would put up the tree on Christmas Eve. We were very puzzled to find the tree lots abandoned by the afternoon of the 24th, and that our pretty trees were free.
Your Noble Fir looks noble indeed. It is beautiful even when horizontal.
It makes me happy to learn of your custom (and Tash's) of decorating the tree quite close to Christmas. The Jerusalem Municipality will be distributing Christmas trees to Christians at Jaffa Gate only on Wednesday or Thursday. When I heard that I thought, oh not nice, why so late? Now it makes me happier.
Looking forward to the pics of your tree vertical. :)
What a nice Noble Fir. It's a pitty that Christmas is so commercialised that we almost forget where it stands for.
I remember that at my parents' home Christmas decorations were put up one or two days before Christmas and that we were right into the Christmas spirit then. I still can't put myself to decorating weeks before Christmas though I admit that it looks nice everywhere.
From now on, I'll never feel bad again when I'm late decorating for Christmas. But I always make sure the nativity scene and star are out by the first Sunday of Advent (and the Advent wreath, of course).
Fir trees grow to that size in just one year? We don't have firs at all so we have to use fake trees. If we want a Christmas tree, that is. Not all do.
Does the tree go in the church or in your living area? It is a beautiful tree and is sure to spread its graciousness and create a lot of 'AHHs' of wonderment.
I don't like putting my tree up early either but my hubby goes nuts if it's not done around Thanksgiving. So we switch each year, one year he gets it his way and one my way.
I cannot wait to see your tree decorated.
Thanks for your comment on St. Brigid's. I am hopeful that with the building preserved, the church will once again open. In Pula, Croatia, my grandmother lived across from the Mornaricka Crkva/Sailor's Church (Our Lady of the Sea) - all thru my childhood it was shut but the bells were always rung (I remember priests pulling on the ropes and being lifted up) - we used to find our way inside and it was in ruins/dusty with pigeons nesting there - but in the '70s, it was beautifully restored. I'll have to scan an old photo to post.
You will be busy tomorrow filling out that tall Noble tree!
The decorations lose much of their specialness by being available too early.
Enjoying your blog - my first visit.
Good luck with the tree, and Merry Christmas!
Love the perspective.
LL
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