Who is Jesus? T he question has surrounded him since h is birth. T he gospels and the Nicene Creed provide some answers. So do the “Great O Antiphons,” liturgical texts dating from around the same era as the Creed that inspired the familiar hymn, “O come, O come Emmanuel.”
Exploring the significance of the antiphons’ seven key images, all drawn from Jewish tradition, shows how early Christians came to understanding the nature, identity, and activity of Jesus Christ, contributing to how the Church has understood him ever since.
These will be the theme of the Lenten program on five Wednesdays, beginning March 12, at Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington. Though primarily associated with Advent, these texts hold meaning for any season of the year, especially Lent as Christians follow this Lord to the cross and empty tomb. All who are interested are invited to participate, and free-will donations welcomed.
Leading the series, which will include presentations followed by discussion, will be the Rev. David Cox, professor of history at Southern Virginia University, and Michael McLaughlin, campus minister and music associate at Grace Church. Together, they are writing a book on the theology of these antiphons, apparently the first such study in their 1,500 year history.
The program, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall, will be preceded by a simple Lenten supper at 6 p.m. Reservations are not needed for the program, but anyone interested in participating in the supper should contact the church at (540) 463-4981 or office@gracelexva.org by noon on the Monday beforehand.
