edithmhumphrey

Light from the Canticles 12: Departing in Peace

Song of Simeon/Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32); Genesis 26:26-30; 2 Samuel (Kingdoms) 20:41-42; Isaiah 54:10; Nehemiah 8:3. “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for theContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 12: Departing in Peace”

Working with WordPress

Just spend a frustrating late morning trying to tame WordPress, and to make my personal blog-post appear! Thanks to my husband who is prepared to share annoyance with me. My hope is that I can use this space to announce upcoming events, book publications, and the like, or just to comment on something that hasContinue reading “Working with WordPress”

Light from the Canticles 11: Horn, House, Oath, and Dayspring

Luke 1:68-79; Genesis 12:1-3; Gen 22:16-17; Psalm 18/LXX 17:3; 2 Samuel/Kingdoms 7:1-17; 2 Samuel/Kingdoms 22:3; Isaiah 9:2, Malachi 3:1; 4:2-5 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spokeContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 11: Horn, House, Oath, and Dayspring”

Light from the Canticles 10: Magnifying the Savior

Canticle 9, first part (Luke 1:46-55); 1 Sam 2:1-10; 2 Cor 10:15; Gen 22:17-18 The first part of canticle 9, called the Magnificat, has been beloved for centuries. It is the song of rejoicing and triumph of our Mother, and stands in an initial place of Luke’s Gospel, as well as studding our worship services.Continue reading “Light from the Canticles 10: Magnifying the Savior”

Light from the Canticles 9: Sing and Exalt Him Throughout All the Ages!

Canticle 8 (Dan 3:57-88 LXX) Last time we considered Old Testament Canticle Seven, with its vulnerable and striking confession of Azariah, with the story of how he and his friends are cast into the furnace, and with the beginning of the song of the Three Youths. Their song opens, as we saw, with the sightContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 9: Sing and Exalt Him Throughout All the Ages!”

Light from the Canticles Episode 8: Azariah’s Confession and the Beginning of the Song

Canticle 7 (Dan 3:25-56); 2 King 19:15-20:6; Genesis 22:15-18 The seventh and eighth Biblical canticles, comprising the confession of Azariah and the song of his three friends in the fiery furnace, are everywhere present in holy week. Indeed, their exhortation to “praise the Lord and highly exalt Him forever” finds its way into the mouthContinue reading “Light from the Canticles Episode 8: Azariah’s Confession and the Beginning of the Song”

Light from the Canticles 7: Jonah’s Cry from the Depths

Jonah 2:2-9; Matt 12:39-41; Job 41; Psalm 104/LXX 103:26; Psalm 139/LXX 138: 8-12; Psalm 148:7 The song of Jonah, Old Testament Canticle 6, is notable for its poignancy and substance. Jonah gives voice to the desolation of those who know themselves to be at the brink of death, crying out to the Lord from theContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 7: Jonah’s Cry from the Depths”

Gratitude

Not quite three-score-and-ten, I am constantly overwhelmed by the grace that God has shown our family. Of course, we have had our challenges and deep tragedies. But if you had asked me 45 years ago what I anticipated for my future, I would probably have said, “I will have to be content with having aContinue reading “Gratitude”

Light from the Canticles 6: Hosea’s Yearning and Hope

Isaiah 26:9-20; Psalm 119; Romans 8:22-39; 2 Peter 1:19 The fifth Biblical Ode, taken from the song in Isaiah 26:9-20, is both challenging, and encouraging. It begins practically, with a description of human vigilance before God, and ends pragmatically, with a reminder that human beings are given by the LORD a time of rest, forContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 6: Hosea’s Yearning and Hope”

Light from the Canticles 5: With Habukkuk in Humility, Hope, and High Places

Habakkuk 2:1-4 3:1-19; Joshua 10; Exodus 15 For several years, as we sang the fourth Ode of the Paschal canon, I was mystified at the prominent role given to a relatively obscure prophet, who wrote three short chapters of our Old Testament. We sing: The inspired Prophet Habakkuk now stands with us in Holy Vigil. Continue reading “Light from the Canticles 5: With Habukkuk in Humility, Hope, and High Places”