Voices Found: WLWC Christmas III C, Wisdom's Voice VF 67

                                                           

Voices Found #67

Crashing waters at Creation,

ordered by the spirit's breath,

first to witness day's beginning 

from the brightness of night's death.

Words: Sylvia G. Dunstan (1955-1993)

By the word of Wisdom were the heavens made,

by the breath of her mouth all the heavenly hosts.

She gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a waterskin

and stores up the depths of the sea.

Let all the earth revere She Who Is Wisdom;

let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of her.

For she spoke and it came to pass;

She commanded, and it stood fast.

Psalm 33:6-9 tr Gafney 

Psalm 33:1-9 is appointed in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church for Christmas III Year C

Meditation from Hildegard of Bingen

O virtus Sapientia

Antiphon 59 by Hildegard of Bingen

O virtus Sapientia

quae circuiens circuisti

comprehendo omnia

in una via, quae habet vitam

tres alas habens,

quarum una in altum volat,

et altera de terra sudat,

et tertia indique volar.

Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet, O Sapientia.

O strength and force of Wisdom

who, in your orbit, 

encircle the path of Life

embracing all in your circuit.

Three wings you have:

the first rules the heights of the heavens,

the second has dominion over the Earth,

and the third reigns over  the whole universe for all eternity.

Praise be to you Holy Wisdom, you are worthy of praise!

tr. Lisa Neufeld Thomas

My English translation  is  based on the German translation offered by the Sisters of  the Hildegard Abbey in Ruedesheim am Rhine, in Germany,  published in Hildegard von Bingen, Lieder,  Otto Mueller Verlag Salzburg, 1969.

Prayer:

O Mothering God, Sister Wisdom, 

Thank you for the wonders of Creation, you who rule the heavens, you who have dominion over the earth, and Sovereign who reigns over the Universe.   Embrace and encircle our hearts. Cleanse us with your crashing waters, and drench our dryness, make us whole. 

In the name of Christ, Amen.