The 4th Sunday of Advent

Roráte caéli désuper, et núbes plúant jústum: aperiátur térra, et gérminet. Salvatórem. Psalm ~ Caéli enárrant glóriam Déi: et ópera mánuum éjus annúntiat firmamentum. Gloria Pátri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sáncto. Sicut érat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saécula saeculórum. Amen.

Drop down dew, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a Savior. (Isaiah 45:8)

Psalm ~ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.


Alas, this is the last Sunday our guest will be among us. He returns from whence he came to spend Christmastide with friends and family. Certainly we are happy for him and wish him God’s speed. I’m sure he won’t mind if we listen in on his thoughts this one last time on this last Sunday of Advent.

“I suppose they will sing Christmas Carols next week. I’ve been hearing them on the radio and in stores for a month! Today another Introit, they must have a reason. Well, Advent is one of the Church’s liturgical seasons and they are not making this stuff up. It is in the missal, I checked. The music has been different. Ok, it has been interesting. There must be a reason the Church wants us to begin Mass this way?”

“Today the music is almost gentle. The image is lovely, God’s justice descending like a gentle rain. How typical of myself to open up an umbrella at the first hint of rain. Can’t be too careful, you know. I suppose that’s why, ‘bring forth a Savior’, is placed in an undefined future.”

“Clearly, I’m to prepare not just for this Christmas but for the Second Coming as well. Well, one thing is for sure, I will remember ‘Rorate caeli’ every time I get caught in the rain.”