December 8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – (Patronal Feastday of: the United States of America; the Franciscan Order; our Poor Clare Federation; and our monastery. Also a Holy Day of Obligation) “I am speaking of Him who is the Son of the Most High, whom the Virgin brought forth, and after birthing Him remained still a virgin. May you cling to this most sweet Mother who bore such a Son as the heavens could not contain and yet nevertheless carried Him in the little cloister of her holy womb and cradled Him on her virginal lap.” – Letter of St. Clare
December 17th – 23rd – “O” Antiphons – Traditional antiphons that are sung during Evening Prayer leading up to Christmas that describe the attributes of the coming Messiah and call upon him with great longing (the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is another version of the “O” Antiphons).
December 17 – “O” Wisdom – O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.
December 18 – “O” Adonai – O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai Mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
December 19 – “O” Flower of Jesse – O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
December 20 – “O” Key of David – O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
December 21 – “O” Radiant Dawn – O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice; come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 22 – “O” King of Nations – O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creatures you fashioned from the dust.
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.
December 25 – The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) – “And for the love of the most holy and most beloved Child wrapped in such poor little swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, and of his most holy Mother, I direct, pray and exhort my sisters that they be always clothed in the garments of the lowly.” – Rule of St. Clare
December 26 – The Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph – “I, little Brother Francis, will to follow the life and poverty of our most high Lord Jesus Christ and of his most holy Mother, and to persevere in them until the end. And I entreat you, my ladies, and give you this counsel; that you live always in this most holy life and poverty. And guard yourselves carefully that you do not ever depart from it in any way on the teaching or advice of anyone.” – St. Francis (to the Poor Clares)