These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

O Emmanuel

December 23

O Emmanuel:
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

The prophet Isaiah said, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (7:14). And as Matthew’s gospel reminds us: “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.” (Mt 1:23)

O Come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
 Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel


Shall come to thee, O Israel