I have been meaning to post a picture of our finished O Antiphon House all week, but haven’t had a chance until this morning. (I contracted for about 12 hours most of Thursday, from about 3 am until just before dinner, and then fell asleep right after dinner, exhausted! Thankfully I am still pregnant since I was NOT quite ready to deliver yet… On the plus side, it did get me to finally pack a bag for the hospital! Though I am now horribly behind on emails, etc…)
Anyhow, I am excited to add this little O Antiphon House to our traditions this year. In the past we have just hung an ornament on our Jesse Tree representing each of the O Antiphons and then presented the family with a special gift or activity each evening.
I was inspired to make this last year, from a thread on the 4 Real Forums. The girls helped me spray paint the house and blocks during “H” Week and I finally finished it up in time for Advent.
I ended up keeping it very simple, but am happy with how it turned out. I only wanted to have 7 empty slots for the 7 blocks (representing each of the O Antiphons), so I filled in the two side boxes with 7 painted wooden stars and the top with the words “Ero Cras” which means “Tomorrow, I will come!”
The Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai,Sapientia – the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, “Tomorrow, I will come.” So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.
For the blocks, I printed out an image of the O Antiphons reduced to 45% on Gold paper and (very carefully using Mod Podge) glued them to the blocks.
Beautiful. Sorry for all your contractions. Any day now!!
Where o where does one find the house? I'm not sure where else in MN to look! I've been to Michael's, Crafts Direct and Jo-Ann's. My blocks are all ready with no where to go!
P.S. What size blocks did you use for the 45% reduction to work? (I am planning on making more sets as gifts!)
This came out beautifully!!! Hang in there.
Where did you get those letters? That was exactly what I had in mind, and I looked EVERYWHERE for them! I resorted to stickers, but it worked out fine. I just have to print the labels. I like that you used the big blocks…mine are a bit smaller to fit under the titles. We're having brunch on St. Lucia's feast for the recipients of the ones I made…then I will post pictures.
I hope you are resting…hang on, little Rose…one more week!
Thank you everyone!
Tracy ~ I purchased ours at Michaels. (It's a "Don Mechanic Enterprises® Large Wood Shadow Box") I hope that helps!
As for the blocks, ours measure 1 1/2".
Aimee ~ The letters are from either Michaels or Wal Mart… I really can't remember. I purchased them back when I was decorating the girls room. They didn't work for what I had purchased them for, but remembering the O Antiphon houses (Ruth's I think) I had decided to save them… The more I think about it I am pretty sure they were from Wal Mart… They came in a small container that had the whole alphabet with some duplicates, a heart, a star (which I used in between Ero and Cras), and a couple other shapes.
Jessica, are you already due??!!!! That happened so fast. (For me!) Hugs to you.
It came out fantastic! Well done Jessica. 🙂
It's hard I know, but try to rest as much as you can.
Your little one will be here before you know it.
God bless!
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Continue the superb work!
Hello there,
This is a inquiry for the webmaster/admin here at showerofrosesblog.com.
Can I use some of the information from your post above if I provide a link back to this site?
Thanks,
William
William ~ I don't mind if you quote my blog, providing a link of course, but please do not repost any pictures. Thank you for asking!
Hi – I am certainly delighted to discover this. Good job!
Did you purchase the house premade?
Yes, I purchased it at Michaels and then painted it purple.
cool…will have to watch for one so I can be ready 🙂