Click on this YouTube link https://youtu.be/tZ-nuU-hda8?si=L0P0pgYq4bYuAV99 to start listening to the choral piece O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen. Listen first and then answer the questions listed below. Or you might want to think through the questions while listening. The text and translation have been provided for greater clarity.
O magnum mysterium O great mystery,
Et admirabile sacramentum and wonderful sacrament,
Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum that animals should see the newborn Lord,
Jacentem in praesepio! lying in a manger!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera Blessed is the virgin whose womb
Meruerunt portare was worthy to bear
Dominum Christum the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
As we move through the Advent week that focuses on peace, like you I find myself struggling. It is an incredibly busy time of the year that demands so much from us and often provides little of substance in return. As we move together waiting in this liminal space, I offer these questions to ponder:
- As you listened to the recording provided, did it bring peace to your spirit? Was that unexpected?
- Is this unexpected peace a reprieve from your normal state, or is it a glimpse of your natural state?
- What was it like to be peaceful in that moment? Or was your mind still distracted?
- How can you carry the quiet awareness of this peace with you, even when the world is full of chaos?
- What would it feel like to give the Prince of Peace permission to help you carry your burdens?
I offer these words from mystic poet John O’Donohue as a reminder to make time to create peace in our lives:
Paul Henderson is the associate pastor of music and worship at Highland Baptist, serving since March 1, 2023. He and his wife, Kim, have two young adult daughters and two loving, wrinkly Shar-Peis, Louis (pronounced “Louie”) and Lily. Besides music, travel and entertaining are two of their favorite activities.