And Christmas Week Begins

The "O Antiphons" come to an end Monday and Tuesday. They are sung online here.

Dec. 22
O Ruler of Nations, cornerstone of the people, desire of all; from the clay of the earth, by your own hand you have formed us and fashioned us. Come and open our hearts to one another.

Dec. 23
O Emmanuel, leader and desire of all the nations, you set captives free, comfort the lonely; you feed the poor and the hungry. Come be born in us, God of Life.



Our "O Antiphon" panels: the artist is one of our oblates, Lanora Queckborner, caligrapher: Charlotte Anne Zalot, OSB.

Sunday night we held our "official" beginning of Christmas with the Mount's tree trimming party. In truth, a lot more than the large Christmas tree gets trimmed, as nativity sets begin to appear everywhere, residence halls and smaller rooms get decorated, the Dickens Village goes up, and the electric train begins its round and round trip under one of the dining room trees.

Here are some of the day's events in pictures:
1) The four candle bearers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
2) Former prioress Sr. Mary Margaret Kraus lights the large Christmas tree. It was her first year for the honor, which is reserved for the most senior member of the community.
3) Part of the Dicken's village.
4) The community room's beautiful tree.