Finally, we come to the last week of Advent and the gorgeous O Antiphons which precede the Magnificat at Vespers. I like the description here.
I love this U2 song, which re-states the Magnificat, and the video with it; the wind (on which rides the Holy Spirit) comes over what is hidden, revealing what appears to be the New Jerusalem, and then flows outward. It’s very much in tune with the mysterious days we are in, of Incarnation and Revelation. In its own way, it is a wonderful praying of Advent Vespers.
Oh, oh, magnificent
I was born, I was born
To be with you in this space and time
After that and ever after
I haven’t had a clue only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue, oh, oh
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born, I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice from the womb
My first cry, it was a joyful noise, oh, oh
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh
Magnificent, magnificent, oh, oh
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh
Magnificent, magnificent, magnificent
Yes…this totally hits the mark.
See also: Dec 18 – O Adonai
December 17th, 2009 | 2:27 pm | #1
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December 17th, 2009 | 2:59 pm | #2
Loved that U2 song! I’m so buying it from iTunes!
And great news! We have this couple who are friends of ours, who were forced to move to WA state with their four kids because of his job, and were isolated from their “life-lines” here in TX (family and friends). Just got the news an hour ago that he got a verbal job offer from another company, which means a return to TX – and they’re going to move closer to where we are in Houston! He just needs the written confirmation in order for the whole family to begin packing their whole house! I’m sure they have been praying for a return from the Seattle area ever since they arrived there, but this is it!
Isn’t God good? Indeed!
December 17th, 2009 | 3:11 pm | #3
That was great! But I can’t stand it… that you’re observing Advent rather than engaging in the media feeding frenzy about the frozen, chaotic, head-in-the-sand Copenhagen climate talks!
This –article
–is rather fascinating and may well be remembered by future historians covering the talks. It should be entitled “The Little Comma That Could.” It’s the tale of a lone comma in the Bali Declaration, which set the stage for Copenhagen, and how delegates in Bali spent hours inserting and deleting a comma that had very substantial impact on what would be expected of Third World nations in curbing carbon dioxide emissions. It was finally decided that the little comma could be left in the language, but everyone agreed that they could read the sentence whichever way they wanted to read it.
Such an awesome manifestation of relative reality!
So, now they’re in Copenhagen, hoping that by the time the Anointed One arrives a deal will have been struck, and alas, the comma must be appeased. What a shame!
December 17th, 2009 | 3:30 pm | #4
OMG, Anchoress, did you totally overlook the Islamic locale? The Islamic vestitures, the architecture, the symbolic artwork that dare not exhibit any humanity? Or are you just being inscrutable today? JessM
December 17th, 2009 | 5:51 pm | #5
I would have liked to watch the video, but all I got was a message that Vevo decided to block it in my country. Shucks!
[Joan, go to YouTube and search for Magnificent U2 - you should be able to find it with no problem -admin]
December 17th, 2009 | 6:14 pm | #6
U2 is kind of a Christian rock band, but no one ever says that because their music is so brilliant.
December 17th, 2009 | 6:38 pm | #7
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December 17th, 2009 | 7:28 pm | #8
I must be obtuse, because other than the title, I just don’t see how that is re-stating the Magnificat.
December 17th, 2009 | 9:03 pm | #9
[...] Anchoress Dec 17 – O Sapientia – Finally, we come to the last week of Advent and the gorgeous O Antiphons which precede the [...]
December 18th, 2009 | 12:45 am | #10
I haven’t ever commented until now, but I’ve read, happily, for quite awhile – (Greek) Orthodox gal, here…
Chris-2-4 – I wanted to share what Bono said in an interview for Rolling Stone: “Magnificent was inspired by the Magnificat, a passage from the Gospel of Luke in the voice of the Virgin Mary that was previously set to music by Bach,” and “there’s this theme running through the album of surrender and devotion and all the things I find really difficult.”
…So I guess Bono thinks that’s what he’s singing about, lol. I kind of get it, based on what he said.
[I think he simply used his "artist's license" to re-imagine what a modern-day Mary might say, and what he himself has to say to God and put it together. It made perfect sense to me, as yes, Magnificat. -admin]
December 18th, 2009 | 9:18 am | #11
The Islamic setting is amazingly brilliant. The bird imagery is clearly of the Holy Spirit. I thought immediately, “Look! The Holy Spirit is lifting the veil off the Muslim world, and now they can see the broad light of the Son!”
That Bono is singing an adaptation of the Magnificat while this transpires is beautiful. Fulton Sheen was convinced that it will be the Blessed Virgin who converts the Muslim world to Christ.
That, combined with the reconversion of the West, is the only thing that can bring true peace to our troubled international community.
Come, Lord Jesus!
[Bingo -admin]
December 18th, 2009 | 4:00 pm | #12
[...] Dec 17 – O Sapientia [...]
December 18th, 2009 | 4:22 pm | #13
[...] The Anchoress – Dec 17 – O Sapientia [...]
December 18th, 2009 | 6:09 pm | #14
I haven’t had a clue only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue, oh, oh
This is the only phrase which I don’t understand as related to the theme of magnifying. Could someone explain it to me?
[Hence, my thought that Bono is not reflecting only the Magnificat, but his own self in relation to the Mystery of Incarnation, and how lacking we are in understanding and fidelity to it. But that's the beautify of poetry. It means many things to many people. -admin]
December 19th, 2009 | 10:17 am | #15
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Yeah! He’s regarding his ‘LOW ESTATE’. HE IS CERTAINLY PUTTING HIMSELF IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SONG. Bono. – or Good! Thanks Admin.
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