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Knoxville, TN 37917

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O Antiphons
John Mark Wiggers • Dec 17, 2020

The O Great Antiphons

Please click here for video and music reflection
LINK: https://youtu.be/NFxamscPveA

Antiphons are phrases of scripture or devotion poetry said or sung before and after a Canticle in the daily prayer Office (from the Latin anti meaning before and/or after, and phon meaning sound). The Great O Antiphons are ancient Christian poetry set to music and sung before and after the Magnificat in Evening Prayer (Vespers) on the seven days before Christmas Eve, with the evening of Christmas Eve completing the octave. The texts are of unknown origin and date at least from the ninth century. Each antiphon begins with the cry “O”, then gives a name of the coming Christ (Messiah) as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. In the old Roman rite the antiphons are sung from Dec. 17-23, but the medieval Sarum rite (in which are many Anglican/Episcopal roots) used to begin on Dec. 16, adding on Dec. 23, O Virgo virginum (O Virgin of virgins). The Great O Antiphons have been adapted as a popular Advent hymn, “O come, O come, Emmanuel” (Hymn 56), whose verses may be used as antiphons for the Magnificat on the appropriate days.
 
Over the next seven days, RJ and I will offer daily reflections on each of these Antiphons as we wait for the coming of Christ.
 
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) 
O Wisdom that proceeds out of the mouth of the Most High, that reaches from one end (of the earth) to another, and orders all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ.
“The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
   the spirit of counsel and might,
   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
   or decide by what his ears hear; 
This also comes from the Lord of hosts;
   he is wonderful in counsel,
   and excellent in wisdom.”
– Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29

Weekly Letter, 05/16/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 15 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday (May 19). We often refer to this event as the birthday of the Church. We celebrate that the promised Holy Spirit was given to those early followers and that we all have the Holy Spirit working in us. The gift of the Holy Spirit reminds me that we are all connected to God and each other. In fact, we need the Spirit and we need each other.

Weekly Letter, 05/09/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 08 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This email arrives on the Feast of the Ascension. The Ascension is that event 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus ascended into the heavens. We often skip over this moment in the Christ story. The resurrected Jesus could have stayed on earth and made quite a show of coming back from death. Instead, the followers of Christ are told that they will receive the Holy Spirit and continue the work of sharing God's love.

Youth Beach Trip

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 02 May, 2024
St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, has organized a trip to St. Christopher’s Camp on the beach of Seabrook Island, SC from May 28 - 31. This trip is open to all 6th -12th graders in the diocese. About 10 male and 10 female slots are available. Transportation will be leaving from Chattanooga on the 28th and returning on the 31st. The cost is $360 per person. This is a great opportunity for our youth to take a fun trip to the beach to kick off the summer, a chance for them to see a different diocese’s summer camp, and a chance for them to meet some youth from the Charleston area through a day of outreach with a parish there. Register: at etnyouth.campbrainregistration.com. Contact Jesse Adkins jadkins@dioet.org, Missioner for Youth and Young Adults, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee for more information.

Weekly Letter, 05/02/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 01 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, For many folks, May is a month of celebrations. The school year is winding down, many are graduating, and we celebrate mothers. We continue to celebrate the Great 50 days of Easter and the Ascension and Pentecost are coming soon. The warmer weather and the blooming earth make me feel like celebrating. I especially give thanks and celebrate the community that is St. James. I invite you to celebrate as well.

Weekly Letter, 04/25/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 26 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This newsletter is going out on April 25, the feast of St. Mark. Did you know that Mark (a figure active in the early church and for whom the gospel of Mark is named) is also known as John Mark? In Acts 15:36-41, we hear that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on a missionary journey with Paul. Mark had started with Paul before and left the journey to return home. Paul refused to allow Mark to come along on this trip and Barnabas and Mark started out on their own mission. We don't have all the details, but we do have a picture of division and separation among these early church leaders.

Weekly Letter, 04/18/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 18 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We all have a story to tell. I had the blessing of hearing people tell their stories in the recent Inquirers Class. I was delighted to see many of those folks affirm their faith when the Bishop was with us Wednesday night. Several people have reached out lately to ask questions about our parish and to share their ups and downs on the faith journey. Many of you know the power of sharing stories as we walk this life together. Sharing stories makes a difference. Having a safe community to tell our stories is a gift. You make St. James a safe place as we share the story of God's love for all.

Congratulations

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 18 Apr, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to all these who affirmed their faith on April 17 through Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation . . .

Weekly Letter, 04/11/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 11 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We continue to celebrate Easter. The Justice Knox Nehemiah Action was a witness to new life rising. We saw over 1000 people gathered to ask our city and county mayors to make commitments to end homelessness. They said yes to some actions that have made an impact in other cities. We can be a community that educates ourselves and others about the causes and realities of being unhoused. We are also a community that confesses that there is hope. Thanks for showing up.

Stations of the Cross

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 04 Apr, 2024
We are excited to introduce our new Stations of the Cross wooden plaques lovingly created from our old pews and placed on the walls in the Nave by The Rev. RJ Powell. The Stations of the Cross is a traditional Christian devotion that focuses on fourteen specific events during Jesus' final journey to Calvary. Through prayers, meditations, and reflections, neighbors are invited to walk alongside Jesus in the Nave, contemplating his sacrifice and the meaning it holds for their own lives.Through this installation, we aim to create a meaningful and transformative experience for individuals seeking to deepen their faith and connect with the central message of Christianity.

Weekly Letter, 04/04/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 04 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, Happy Easter! We had a solemn Holy Week and a glorious Easter Sunday! Thank you to everyone who helped make all of that happen. We have so many talented folks who give of their time and talents to make things special. I am reminded of how powerful sacred space, beauty, drama, and ritual help bring us together. I am grateful to be part of a community that can bring all those things together to welcome folks with the love of Christ. Thank you.
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