O Antiphons - December 17 - 23rd

The O Antiphons

The "O Antiphons" refer to the seven antiphons recited before the Magnificat at Vespers (evening prayers) during the Octave before Christmas Eve. Each Antiphon begins with “O” and addresses Jesus with a Messianic title from the prophecies of Isaiah and closes with a petition. Our Christmas hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel is patterned after these antiphons. There are several translation which take their poetic prose from the Holy Scripture. Below I have listed a common translation with the O Come Emmanuel verse following.

Sapientia (O Wisdom) 

O Wisdom, that proceedest from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from end to end mightily,

and sweetly disposing all things:

come and teach us the way of prudence.

(Isaiah 11:2-3; 28-29; Sirach 24:3; Wisdom 8:1)

O Come, O Wisdom from on high,

who orders all things mightily,

to us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Adonai (O Lord) 

O Adonai, and Leader of the House of Israel,
who did appear unto Moses in the burning bush,
and gave Him the Law on Sinai:
come and redeem us by Thy outstretched arm.
(Isaiah 11:4-5; 33:22; Exodus 3:2,5, 13-14) 

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) 

O Root of Jesse
who stands for an ensign before the people,

before whom kings are mute
and to whom the nations will do homage:

Come quickly to deliver us.
(Isaiah 11:1-2, 10; Luke 1:32-33)

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
from ev'ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

Clavis David (O Key of David)

O Key of David, and scepter of the House of Israel,

who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens:

Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison,

he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
(Isaiah 22:22; 9:6; Matthew 16:19; Revelation 3:7)

 O come, Thou Key of David,

come, and open wide our heav’nly home,

Make safe the way that leads on high,

That we no more have cause to sigh.

Oriens ( O Rising Sun)

O Dawn of the east,
brightness of the light eternal,
and Son of Justice:

Come, and enlighten them that sit in darkenss
and in the shadow of death.
(Isaiah 9:1, 5-6 Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78-79)

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Rex Gentium(O King of the Gentiles)

 O King of the gentiles/nations and their desired One,
the cornerstone that makes both one:
come, and deliver man,
whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
(Isaiah 2:4; Psalm 118:22; Mark 12:10; Ephesians 2:20)

O come Desire of nations,

bind in one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid every strife and quarrel cease

And fill the world with heaven’s peace.

Emmanuel 

O Our King and Lawgiver,

the Expected of the Nations

and their Savior,

come to save us, O Lord our God.
(Isaiah 7:14)

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that morns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,

to thee shall come Emmanuel!

The first letter of each of the Latin O Antiphons combines to form SARCORE, which when arraigned backward spells the Latin phrase ERO CRAS meaning “I will be with you tomorrow.” And that He will, at Christms Vigil.........

Blessed Advent Season
Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

O Emmanuel - December 23

In the final O Antiphon we call upon God in a personal way, O Come Emmanuel God with us, our King and Lawgiver, come to save us.

O Emmanuel

O Our King and Lawgiver,

the Expected of the Nations

and their Savior,

come to save us, O Lord our God.

This antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel".

Isaiah 33:22: "Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes, the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us".

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Latin

Veni, veni, Emmanuel

captivum solve Israel,

qui gemit in exsilio,

privatus Dei Filio.

R: Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,

nascetur pro te Israel!

English

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that morns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

R: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,

to thee shall come Emmanuel!

O Rex Gentium: O King of the Gentiles - December 22

O Rex Gentium: O King of the Gentiles

This O Antiphon makes today a “little” Ash Wednesday: Come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. This plea is that God will save all humanity, all He created and formed from the dust of the earth. Come Lord Jesus breathe the breath of your life into us and make us one.

O Rex Gentium
O King of the gentiles/nations and their desired One,

the cornerstone that makes both one:

come, and deliver man,

whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.

This Antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See, I am laying a stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, a precious cornerstone as a sure foundation; he who puts his faith in it shall not be shaken.”

Psalm 118:22 “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Matthew 21:42 “Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?””

Mark 12:10 “Have you not read this scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…””

Luke 20:17 “But he looked at them and asked, “What then does this scriptures passage mean: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?”

Acts 4:11 “He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”

Ephesians 2:20 “build upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.”

Revelation 15:3 “and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the Nations.””

 

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Latin

Veni, veni, Rex Gentium, Veni

Redemptor omnium,

ut salvas tuos

famulos Peccati sibi conscious.

English

O come Desire of nations,

bind in one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid every strife and quarrel cease

And fill the world with heaven’s peace.

Blessed Advent Season
Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

O Oriens: O Dayspring: O Radiant Dawn - December 21

O Oriens: O Dayspring: O Radiant Dawn

In ancient times, at Mass, Christians faced the East, calling on Christ the Dayspring, to “shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow.” Today, December 21 marks the shortest day of the year and longest night. Through night’s darkness, the Advent candles continue to burn bright and the Church calls to Our Lord, the Dayspring, the Radiant Dawn, the Morning Star to come.

We are all in need of a Savior, none are immune. We look to the Dayspring to ransom us from death and darkness. Sin seeks shelter under the cover of darkness, but we can return to the light through baptism or the sacrament of penance. Flee darkness, confess sin, and live in His light, comfort and freedom. O Dayspring come and disperse the gloomy clouds of night.

O Oriens

O Dawn of the east, brightness of the light eternal,
and Son of Justice:
Come, and enlighten them that sit in darkenss
and in the shadow of death.

This Antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Isaiah 9:1-2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.”

Isaiah 9: 5-6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”

Malachi 4:2 “But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays; And you will gambol [frolic] like calves out of the stall.”

Luke 1:78-79 “because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.”

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Latin

Veni, veni O Oriens, Solare nos

adveniens, Noctis depelle nebulas,

Dirasque mortis tenebras.

English

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

O Clavis: O Key of David - December 20

O Clavis David: O Key of David

We have reached our fourth night in the Christmas Octave the O Clavis: O Key of David. Jesus the descendent of David, son of Jesse is the one “who has the Key” to unlock us from our prison of sin. Jesus is the one “who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens.”

Keys represent authority; the one with the key has the authority. Jesus, who came to us at Bethlehem, has never left us. He entrusted the keys to His Church to “bind and to loose” to Peter after the Resurrection, to hand down in succession. Come Lord Jesus, help us to trust, believe and follow, knowing that Your key is the key that unlocks our cell, and bondage to sin.

O Clavis

O Key of David, and scepter of the House of Israel,
who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens:
Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison,
he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.

This Antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Isaiah 22:22 “I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.”

Isaiah 42:6-7 “I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”

Revelation 3:7 “The the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: ‘The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open.’”

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Latin

Veni, Clavis Davidica,

Regna reclude caelica,

Fac iter Tutum Superum,

Et claude vias inferum.

English

O come, Thou Key of David,

come, and open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,

That we no more have cause to sigh.

From the Splendor of Turth, YouTube Francis xcc Channel

Advent Blessings from
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O Radix: O Root of Jesse - December 19

O Radix: O Root of Jesse

Tonight the third of the O Antiphons is recited as we call on Jesus to come, his kingship is prophesized and fulfilled from the Root of Jesse who is King David’s father. A king is promised to ‘sprout from the stump’ of King David’s family tree, and a ‘bud shall blossom’ coming to fulfillment in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Our Adonai, Lord from last night is at the same time man with flesh and blood and he came to us at the first Christmas and he is coming again. We have been grafted to His Root, the Root of Jesse, in our Baptism. In order for our graft to grow it must remain moist with baptismal water. Jesus draws everyone to himself so be sober and vigilant for He Is the Vine, and through his grace, we are the branches, come quickly to deliver us Lord Jesus.

O Radix

O Root of Jesse

who stands for an ensign before the people,

before whom kings are mute and to whom the nations will do homage:

Come quickly to deliver us,

This antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Isaiah 11:1-2 “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.”

Isaiah 11-10 "On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious."

Isaiah 52:13 “See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.”

Isaiah 52:15 “So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.”

Isaiah 53:2 “He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him.” (only God appreciated Jesus’ true greatness)

Psalms 72:8-11 “May his foes kneel before him, his enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.”

Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

John 12:31-32 “Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

I Peter 5:8 “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Latin

Veni, O Iesse virgula,

ex hostis tuos ungula,

de spectu tuos tartari

educ et antro barathri.

English

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,

from ev'ry foe deliver them

that trust Thy mighty power to save,

and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

From the Splendor of Truth,





Blessed Advent Season
Lynn's Timeless Treasures 

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Art
The Jesse Tree by Jan Mostaert

O Sapientia: O Wisdom - December 17

Christmas Octave

During the final week of Advent between December 17 and December 23rd, the Church observes the custom of praying each day one of the seven “O Antiphons”. These refer to the seven antiphons recited before and after the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. Incorporated into the monastic life during the Middle Ages this practice builds our excitement and expectation during the final days leading to Christmas and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Each antiphon emphasizes a title for the Messiah and refers to a prophecy on the coming of the Messiah. They progress historically from the beginning of time, through the messianic prophecies of Israel, ending with the Incarnation and birth of Christ. Each O Antiphon follows the same structure, beginning with an invocation of the expected Messiah using a title given to Our Lord, followed by praise, and ending with a plea for him to “Come”.

The seven titles given to Jesus in the antiphons are Wisdom (Sapientia in Latin), Ruler of the House of Israel (Adonai), Root of Jess (Radix), Key of David (Clavis), Rising Dawn (Oriens), King of the Gentiles (Rex), and Emmanuel. Each Latin initial combines to form SARCORE, which when arraigned backward spells the Latin phrase ERO CRAS meaning “I will be with you tomorrow.” And that He will, at Christms Vigil.........

Today, the O Antiphons are familiar to us because of the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with each verse paralleling the antiphon. So tonight with the first O Antiphon, O Wisdom, we begin the final phase of preparation for Christmas.

O Sapientia

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High.

Pervading and permeating all creation,

mightily ordering all things:

come and teach us the way of prudence.

This antiphon is based on the following scripture:

Sirach 24:3”From the mouth of the Most High I came forth, and mist like covered the earth.”

Wisdom 8:1 “Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.”

Wisdom is a divine attribute, present with God at the beginning of creation. Jesus is eternal; there was never a time when He was not. Through Him (as the Creed states) all things were made. Wisdom is a prefigurement of Jesus, the eternal Word of God, or the “logos” as Saint John states in John 1:1. Wisdom will teach us prudence, how to live our life with discretion and in holiness. Wisdom will teach us to follow the will of God.

Verse from

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

who orders all things mightily,

to us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Zoltán Kodály L'Accorche-Choeur

Blessed Advent Season
Lynn's Timeless Treasures