The O Antiphons
The O Antiphons are prayed at Vespers during the final week of Advent leading to Christmas. Each antiphon highlights a title for the Messiah taken from the Book of Isaiah. Liturgical use of these antiphons is associated with the Benedictine monks, who this year began praying the O Antiphons at Vespers on Tuesday, December 17.
O Oriens—"O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light and sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death." —December 21, 2024
During Advent and the Christmas season, Turning to God's Word posts free lessons covering the Joyful Mysteries from Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels. After the Christmas season, the Joyful Mysteries will be replaced by the Luminous Mysteries, which will remain until the liturgical season of Lent. All lessons are free and can be downloaded during the season in which they're posted. This Catholic Bible study has been granted an imprimatur.
Pray the Rosary with us
check out the Joyful Mysteries
This compelling Catholic Bible study examines how it is that men and women can develop an intimate personal relationship with God. You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Book of Exodus covers scriptural accounts of God rescuing his people from bondage in Egypt, leading them through the Red Sea, and giving them the Ten Commandments. Maps, genealogical charts, and free lesson videos are included. This study has been granted an imprimatur. Visit our study page to link to supplemental resources, including video overviews of each lesson.
You Shall Have No Other Gods
The Book of Exodus
Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses sports horns as the result of a translation error made by St. Jerome. The patron of translators mistook the Hebrew word in the book of Exodus 34:29 describing Moses' face as "radiant in glory" to mean "horned." The error was compounded in 1515 when Michelangelo carved horns on his marble portrayal of Moses, which can be seen in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. You can follow Lost in Translation on our website, where every Monday we post new commentary by Matthew Phelps based on his reading of the Scriptures in their original language.
Lost in Translation
This compelling Catholic Bible study examines how earliest biblical history has shaped our faith. In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis covers scriptural accounts of Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the Great Flood, and lives of the patriarchs. These 28 lessons provide a strong foundation for serious study of other books of the Bible, and maps and genealogical charts are included. This study has been granted an imprimatur. Visit our In the Beginning study directory to link to supplemental resources, including video overviews of each lesson.
In the Beginning
The Book of Genesis
The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King examines the reigns of the first kings of the 12 tribes, paying special attention to the reign of David and how the relationship between kings, prophets, and priests points ahead to the kingdom of heaven. Our 28-lesson study is based on the First and Second Books of Samuel and has been granted an imprimatur. Visit The United Kingdom study directory to link to additional commentary and resources, including video overviews for each lesson.
The United Kingdom of Israel
Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King
Thus Says the LORD
God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume II: Restoration & Redemption continues our examination of the biblical prophets, picking up where Volume I left off, covering salvation history from the Babylonian Exile through the time of Jesus—including a look at Old Testament prophecy in the book of Revelation. Volume II of Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets has been granted an imprimatur from the Most Reverend William M. Joensen, Ph.D., bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines.
see more related commentary: Happy Christmas in the Lost in Translation archives
listen to the readings: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers a podcast of the Sunday Mass readings, which can be useful for lectors wishing to hear the correct pronunciation of biblical terms as well as for Catholics who simply want to listen to the readings.
Pope Francis’ prayer intention in December:
for pilgrims of hope
Each month, Catholics support the Pope in his Worldwide Prayer Network. This December the Holy Father is praying that the coming Jubilee Year 2025 strengthens individuals in their faith. It’s the Pope’s prayer that people become better able to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of their lives, transforming all men and women to become pilgrims of hope.
Every Turning to God’s Word Bible study carries an imprimatur
Turning to God’s Word Catholic Bible studies are based on principles of lectio divina and are designed to enrich understanding of the Christian faith. Our newest study, You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Book of Exodus, was granted an imprimatur on June 29, 2023, from the Most Reverend William M. Joensen, Ph.D., bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines. Future Turning to God’s Word studies also will be submitted to Bishop Joensen. Previous Turning to God’s Word Bible studies have received an imprimatur from Bishop Joensen or from the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Des Moines.