O Emmanuel

Yesterday was a little special. We went up to Mt. Hermon (Syrian border) to see the snow. It was a beautiful sight - the mountain side was thick with snow ... something I have not seen for many years in the south of the country. There were many other locals who drove up to this highest moutain in Israel as well ...  a nice little crowd with children rolling about on the snow laden slopes.

But as usual I was sick ... a terrible nausea and fever spoilt the day. Needed to rest but a car ride home of over 2 hours didn't help.

Giovanni Loche (our prof who's much younger than I) had a successful operation yesterday. And he was grateful for everyone's prayers.

Today's O antiphon is "O Emmanuel" which is self-explanatory
Latin:

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,

exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:

veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

English:

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Isaiah had prophesied:

• "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

(Emmanuel means God is with us).