Ponder ‘O Come Emmanuel’ a Franciscan Sisters’ Advent Podcast

In this month of liturgical seasons that anticipate and celebrate the birth of Jesus, rejoice and enjoy O Come Emmanuel, a podcast featuring the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s rendition of the medieval Catholic hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (Veni Emmanuel) with its beautiful, haunting melody and collection of titles ascribed to the Savior from Scripture. Reflect on stunning Incarnational stained glass windows found in one of the Franciscan Sisters’ Motherhouse chapels and other Northeastern Wisconsin churches. Made from the most ordinary materials, this stained glass is sand transformed by fire into a jeweled beauty that stirs souls and moves them closer to God.

Sisters Caritas Strodthoff,OSF (xylophone and vocals), Sister Chiara LaValley, OSF (flute), Sister Myra Jean Sweigart, OSF (vocals) and Sister Winifred Crevier, OSF (organ) blend their musical gifts to perform this traditional hymn translated into English by John Mason Neale (1818-1866).

The stained glass windows highlighted in this podcast are from these places of Catholic worship:

St. Francis Chapel, Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, WI

St. Gabriel Church, Neenah, WI

Nativity Church, Cudahy, WI

St. Mary Church, Appleton, WI

Sacred Heart Church, Sherwood, WI

St. Paul Church, Combined Locks, WI

St. Patrick Church, Menasha, WI

How does this podcast move your heart?

Kayla

I think God used music because who doesn't like music? It's a good way to teach.
bear

I think about how everyone in the world can relate to music because there is no specific language to music. So God can touch all of us though music.
grazel

Silent prayer. Jesus' birth. The Holy Emmanuel.
Monica

I saw God's passion through this song.
Sister Julie Ann

The Lord is near... especially after reading all these great comments! God is with us and the goodness you have shared confirms His presence in our lives
Cathy

The waiting time of Advent-the waiting for Jesus. Music awakens my soul!!
Sister Julie Ann

Such meaningful comments! Thanks for reflecting on this Franciscan Sisters' podcast. Peace and all good.
Emily

It is joyful, yet solemn. It expresses the happiness of Jesus' birth and sadness of His eventual sacrifice.
Cory

God uses catchy tunes so we can remember the words.
Maxwell

It reminds me that whenever I am having trouble in life, God will come to me. He is always there.
Amanda

God uses music to allow us to see his stories in another way, which we can better understand.
Rachel

Christmas, Jesus being born
Taylor

God uses music as another way to be with each other and to talk.
Morgan

Music is another way to communicate with God.
Sara

This song reminds us that the Lord, our Emmanuel, is coming and has saved us all. It is truly a time to rejoice.
Terry

rejoice in the Lord--it gives me a moment of prayer
Erica

The thoughts that come into my head when I hear this song is peace. Jesus in the manger and all the different people who have traveled many miles to see him.
Sister Ruth Ann

I'm a little late, but finally I got the Advent podcast. I'm glad I did not miss it. It will remain a precious part of my memory bank for the beauty and sacredness of Advent
Sister Mary Ann

Thanks Julie, Logan, Kayla, and Zach for taking time to share your thoughts with all of us! You all mention the beauty and happiness of music which is one of the reasons for this blog, to share about God's goodness and beauty in the world!

Thanks too Sister Delores, Steve, and Skyler, the daily sunrise and sunset are also part of God's symphony in our lives!
Zach

Music plants a seed in the heart. Music allows life to grow within the listener. It enriches the life of everyone.
Kayla

It made me think about how grateful I am to have God in my life.
Trent

When I hear nice music, it makes me happy and thankful.
Logan

I think of Jesus coming.
Julie

It made me think of singing and rejoicing in church. It made me happy because I like to speak to the Lord with music.
Sr. Delores Wisnicky

Advent is a holy time and you have captured something very sacred here. The paintings give another dimension and take us to the place of birth. I witnessed a spectacular sunrise this morning and this podcast reminded me of it... Well done, all who were involved in it creating this podcast...
Steve

I think of how much love God has for us. How lucky I am to have God in my life. From every sunrise to every sunset.
Skyler

Life is full of music and in my life I need to remember to find God in music.

God makes his largest impact through music because music is my true love in life. I am a musician and I find God in music.
Sister Julie Ann

Cody and John, thanks your thoughtfulness in taking some important Advent time to comment. May the Lord bless you as you make more immediate preparations for Christmas.
John

I think about Jesus' coming into the world, being born in a very humble place. Who would have thought that the savior of all would be born in a stable.
Cody

Makes me think about all the happy times I have had in life; the song makes me feel relaxed and calm and feel connected with Jesus.
Sister Mary Ann

I agree that God uses music to help us grasp the mystery of God, especially during this special time of the year!
Blessings on you Jenna and Kevin for sharing your thoughts!
Kevin

God uses music to send people a message to help them understand God.
Jenna

It reminds me of the Christmas and the birth of Jesus. The excitement of the word 'rejoice' reminds me of the happiness of the birth of Jesus.
Sister Julie Ann

Connor, the stained glass window with the star does attract one's eye in this podcast. Thanks for deeply considering its significance.
Connor

There is something to be said about the star that led the shepherds to the baby Jesus. In a world that can seem so infected with darkness, something so bright can liven the soul in ways beyond our expectations. It can tear through all sadness and all evil.
Sister Julie Ann

Kayla and John, thanks for using your emotion and lived experience to make a comment. Peace and all good.
John

The coming of Jesus was to come to save us and help us with everyday tasks. I think that God gives everyone challenges in life and as Jesus comes he can help us overcome those obstacles. He uses music to give us a time for reflection and to show emotion.
Kayla

We are suppose to rejoice and praise the Lord. When I need to calm down or think about certain things, I like to listen to praise & worship music.
Sister Julie Ann

Cayden and Laura, your thoughts were heart-felt. Peace and all good this Advent Season.
Laura

I think about how many people neglect God in every day life rather than letting Him in.

I have always thought that music expresses things we ourselves can not put into words.
Cayden

By playing soft music, it helps me relax and just think about Him.
Sister Mary Ann

Thanks for your insights Connor, Al, Maria, John and Sister Anne Marie! This Advent song is a wonderful traditional hymn that touches our hearts in many ways!
Connor

I've sung this song before in Boy Choir and it is a song makes me feel in the holiday spirit.
Al

Good songs are good.
Sister Anne Marie Lom

This song really is asking God to come into our lives. Thank you for picking that up. Also, God is always in our lives so I think the song asks us to pay attention to God who is already here. I really enjoyed reading so many comments on the blog.
Maria

This song makes me think of God coming into my heart. I feel like through this song, we are asking God to come into our lives.
John

Made me think of family b/c it's a song we hear at Christmas & Christmas is a family time
Sister Julie Ann

D.B., Cody and Tiffany, your comments are appreciated on this day we remember Juan Diego. May you continue to find inspiration in music as you prepare for the feast of Christmas.
Cody

It's a good song.
D. B.

Peace. Friendship.
Sister Mary Ann

Thanks for the thoughts Melanie and Ryan! I couldn't agree more, music is God's language!
Melanie

Through music God talks to us in a language everyone around the world can understand.
Ryan

It's inspiring. The xylophone was cool.
Sister Julie Ann

Thanks,Derek,Tommy, Bailee, Sarah, Chuck and Phillip, for expressing your meaningful connections with this homey video. Peace and all good.
Derek

We need to rejoice & praise God.
Tommy

Music brings together individual notes to create something that sounds beautiful. It shows us the good in things and makes meaningful connections.
Bailee

it's very beautiful and reminds me of the holidays. God speaks to you in a deeper meaning through music.
Sarah

it makes you think about what's really in your life & what you should be thankful for.
Chuck

it's very peaceful and humbling to watch & listen to this video. it reminded me of Advent. Yay Christmas!
Phillip

Music is able to inspire you with soothing and comforting tones, but also tell you a story of faith.
Sister Julie Ann

Thanks Stephanie, Connie and Dan for your comments. It was good to be with you in Kaukauna. Peace and all good.
Dan

Music is used to inspire us and God come to us through inspiration.
Connie

When I hear music praising God, I am moved to a new level and my faith strengthened.
Stephanie

This song makes me think of happiness, as well as the ability to learn from Jesus.
Sister Carla Riach

What a beautiful rendition of this ancient hymn. I loved the stained glass windows. They fit in with the "oldness" of the hymn. Thank you, Sisters, for sharing your gift of music and art with us. May we all open our hearts for Emmanuel!
Sister Mary Ann Nugent

Thank you for sharing this beautiful Advent reflection. Your music and selection of art work truly help to lift the heart and mind to God in prayer.
Sister Marlene

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful rendition of the one of my favorite Advent hymns. The accompanying pictures enhance it beautifully. May it inspire many to become closer to the Lord.
Sister Leonette Kochan

Beautiful! Thank you for giving the gift of Advent spirit to all who listen.
Sister Leonette Kochan
sister Ellen Pachmayer

Thanks so much for sharing your gifts and talents, that was so beautifully done. Blessings on each of you and Happy Advent.
Sister Laura Wolf

Beautifully done - Great connection of pictures and music.
Thanks for putting this meditation together!
Sister Laura
Sister Annette Kurey

Sisters, The Franciscan Advent podcast is wonderful. It is so reflective, so calming and peaceful. You are truly returning to God the gifts He has given to each of you in this podcast. Your creativity is remarkable. Thank you.
Sister Rosangela Weiland

This Advent podcast is awesome. Thanks to all of you who used your talents in producing it. I'm sure it will touch many lives during this Advent season and help us to stay focused on the important preparation for Christmas.
Sister Julie Ann

'God is with us' through each of our dear Sisters who gave of themselves to film this podcast. Bravo. And of course 'God is alive' in Mark and the crew who not only captured this meditative melody, but enhanced the reflection with the beauty of sacred windows cherished by the people of God. Bravo Par Excellence!
Sr. Pam

What a beautiful meditation during these days of Advent! The blend of music and the stained glass images were a wonderful way for me to remember the importance of these Advent days. How easy it is to get caught up in the frenzy of "doing" and forget that it is in the "being" of these days that God will come to be with us.

Thanks to all of you who put together this reflective podcast!
Sister Anne Marie Lom

Oh, what a joy and pleasure to begin Advent with this ancient melody played by our contemporaries, our gracious, talented sisters. This haunting chant always brings me back to Advent days at Holy Family Convent, at each mission where I served, and to my own center in Jesus who is awaited with eager hope today and each day. Emmanuel, God with us, is a touching reminder to watch for God-with-us in each moment. God waits for us more than we wait for God. I try to pay attention!
Michelle Propson

It was beautiful! The true essence of Christmas. Thank you for sharing.
Sister Mary Ann

Advent time is filled with so many ways of preparing for the Feast of the Incarnation. Our Sisters' preparing through music and song is a beautiful sign of simplicity, joy, and expectation which is so much a part of each of their lives. Thank you Sisters for sharing yourselves with us!
Sister Sharon Paul

Blessings to those who prepared this Advent podcast. Lots of effort was rendered to prepare this Advent rendition. Thank you! I enjoyed the stained glass windows from the 7 churches and the meaningful expressions on the faces and the Visitation, the Angel Gabriel, Spirit in the form of a dove, the star,the cross and the Nativity spoke volumes. I especially liked seeing the Srs. at our Holy Family Convent rendering praise and thanksgiving as they prayerfully sang and played their instruments as they begin this Advent Season. May each of us enter into this prayerful SEASON as we await His coming once again in our hearts and in our lives!

Ponder ‘O Come Emmanuel’ a Franciscan Sisters’ Advent Podcast

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