A week-long walk to Bethlehem
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.” Luke 2: 1-6 NRSV

In the days Joseph and Mary needed to go to Bethlehem from Nazareth to register, there were no automobiles, they were fortunate Mary, who was pregnant almost to full term, was able to sit on a donkey to make the strenuous trip of 90 miles. Mary and Joseph would have had to travel these 90 miles in four days, averaging a 2.5-mph pace for roughly eight hours a day. And it was reported to be very cold that year. Imagine bouncing up and down on a donkey almost ready to give birth – that must have been awful and then freezing cold. But I think people in those days were made of a stronger mettle than they are now, because now we are used to mechanical devices that take the hard work out of everything. I think we are spoiled...

We might apply this courage and determination (spunk?) to many things we need to do. For example, fighting temptation in everyday life takes courage and determination to overcome. Anyway, in the week Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, that is from December 17 to Christmas Eve, we are reminded of the significance of that week by the “O” Antiphons, which we find each afternoon/evening in Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. (before and after the Canticle of Mary)

• December 17: O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: COME, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen. 
  (Latin) "O Sapientia..."

• December 18: O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: COME, and redeem us with outstretched arms. Amen. "O Adonai..."

• December 19: O ROOT OF JESSE, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: COME, to deliver us, and tarry not. Amen. 
  "O Radix Jesse..."

• December 20: O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: COME, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen. 
  "O Clavis David…"
   
  
• December 21: O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice: COME, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.

        "O Oriens..."

• December 22: O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: COME, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. Amen. 
  "O Rex..."

• December 23: O EMMANUEL, God with us, Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour: COME to save us, O Lord our God. Amen. "O Emmanuel…"

On December 24 it is Christmas. Remember, Solemnities (which include Sundays) begin with Evening Prayer (Vespers) the night before. The Antiphon at Evening Prayer on Christmas Eve is “When the sun rises in the morning sky, you will see the King of kings coming forth from the Father like a radiant bridegroom from the bridal chamber,” and the Lord is Born.

A couple of us, myself included, use the four-volume edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. The Office of Readings, which I pray often when there are solemnities, because the prayers are so beautiful. You will only benefit from it when you are able to pray slowly in a meditative way. It is nice to really absorb what one is praying. The idea that hundreds of thousands of priests and deacons, the bishops, cardinals and even the Pope, and let’s not forget religious, male and female, also pray these beautiful prayers of the Church, that’s a mighty force of prayers going to the Lord. My God and my All!

Wishing all of you a Blessed and Holy Christmas.

Fred Schaeffer, OFS
September 17, 2022

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