Gaudete

Advent - O Antiphons - O Emmanuel

Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ

23 December

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.

O Emmanuel, our King and Law-giver, desired of the nations and their salvation, come and save us, Lord our God.
Isaiah 7:14

Reflections on the O Antiphon:

Blue Eyed Ennis - O Emmanuel
An Advent Examen - Day 7
Wellspring - O Antiphon Reflections
A Nun's Life - O Emmanuel
Dating God - O Come Emmanuel

Advent - O Antiphons - O Rex Gentium

22 December

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

O King of the Nations for whom they long, the corner-stone who makes of both one, come and deliver man whom you made from clay.

Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 28:16; Haggai 2:8; Ephesians 2:14; Genesis 2:7

Reflections on the O Antiphon:

Blue Eyed Ennis - O King of Nations
An Advent Examen - Day 6
Dating God - O King of Nations: The In-Breaking of God’s Reign
Godzdogz - O Rex Gentium
A Nun's Life - O Rex Gentium

Advent - O Antiphons - O Oriens

Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ,

21 December

 

O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

 

O Morning Star, splendour of eternal light and sun of justice, come and illumine those seated in darkness and the shadow of death.

Isaiah 9:2; Luke 1:9; Zech 6: 12-13; Heb 1:3; Malachi 4:2

 

  

 

Reflections on the Antiphon:

• Blue Eyed Ennis
• Fr Z - O Orien
• Daily Examen
• Reflections on O Antiphons

Advent - O Antiphons - O Clavis David

Artist Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who open and no one shuts, who shuts, and no one opens, come and free from prison him who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.

Isaiah 22.22 and Isaiah 9.6.

Reflections on the Antiphon:

• iBenedictines - O Clavis David: Liberation theology
• A Nun's Life - O Key of David
• Dating God - O Key of David: From Death to Life
• Blue Eyed Ennis
• Fr Z - O Clavis David
• An Advent Examen
• Reflections on the O Antiphons

Advent - O Antiphons - O Radix Jesse

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, who stand as an ensign to the peoples, at whom kings stand silent and whom the gentiles seek, come and free us, delay no longer!

Source: Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ

Some scripture texts worth pondering as we listen to the antiphon are Isaiah 11.1; Isaiah 11.10; Jeremiah 23. 5-6: Micah 5.1; Romans 15. 8-13; Revelation 5.1-5; Revelation 22.16

Reflections:

iBenedictines - O Radix Jesse: hope that does not disappoint
A Seat at the Table - Hail, O greenest branch
Blue Eyed Ennis - O Root of Jesse
A Nun's Life - O Radix Jesse
Fr Z - O Radix Jesse

Advent - O Antiphons - O Lord

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.


O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the Law on Sinai, come to redeem us with outstretched arm Exodus 3; Isaiah 11:4-5; Isaiah 33:22

Source - Artist Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ

Reflections on the O Antiphons:

iBenedictines - O Adonai: The Holiness of God
Blue Eyed Ennis - O Adonai
Jesuits - Advent Examen - Day 2 - O Lord and Ruler: Jesus as Redeemer
Fr Z - O Adonai
Dating God - O Holy Lord: Come and set us free

Advent - O Antiphons - O Wisdom!

 

O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ.

O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner: come to teach us the way of truth. (Isaiah 11:2-3; Isaiah 28:29)

As we begin the final octave before Christmas we encounter the the first "O Antiphon" - "O Sapientia" - "O Wisdom", which draws us into the Old Testament's wisdom literature.

"Wisdom is a divine attribute. The divine Wisdom is personified. Wisdom is the beloved daughter who was before Creation, Wisdom is the breath of God's power, Wisdom is the shining of God's transforming glory."

If you would like to read or do lectio on scripture for the day:

• Wisdom 8:1
• Isaiah 11:2-3; 28:29
• Proverbs 8:1-36
• John 1:1-5 

Some reflections:

• Dating God - O Wisdom: Occupying God’s Foolishness
• Godzdogs - Son of David, Son of Abraham - Wisdom of God
• Jesuits - Advent Examen - Day 1 - O Wisdom
• Fr Z - The O Antiphons
• A Nun's Life - Jesus is Wisdom
  

Update:

Blue Eyed Ennis has a reflection on our search for Wisdom.

O Antiphons

Beginning with the 17th of December, the liturgical tradition marks each day until Christmas Eve with an ancient and mysterious text, one of the so-called O-Antiphons. The O-Antiphons are among the most magnificent and ancient compositions of the Roman liturgy. Dating back to at least the seventh century, they are antiphons for the Magnificat, chanted at Vespers on the days before Christmas Eve. Since the Second Vatican Council, they have also been adapted (slightly reworded and rearranged) for the "Alleluia Verse" of the Mass (the short scriptural text or paraphrase that immediately precedes the Gospel reading).

They are named “O” after their introductory exclamation of longing. The O-Antiphons give voice to the deepest longing of Advent, the coming of the Redeemer. Each daily antiphon takes a different image from the Hebrew Scriptures — Wisdom, Lord of Israel, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dawn, King of Nations, Emmanuel — to plead for the coming of Christ. Together, these antiphons move toward Christ’s birth, celebrated the day after the last of them has been chanted. In the English-speaking world, the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has popularized these O-Antiphons far beyond the confines of the church’s liturgy although being liturgically correct, the song is sung backwards in relation to the order of the O Antiphons.

Like last year, we will be posting the O Antiphons here daily for reflection and use but for some other daily reflections on the O Antiphons have a look at:

• Advent Examen prepared by the Jesuits
• Suggestions for scripture for lectio divina around the Antiphons

The exact origin of the “O Antiphons” is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome.

 

The importance of “O Antiphons” is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah

Sapientia (Wisdom)

Adonai (Holy Lord)

Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse)

Clavis David (Key of David)

Oriens (Dayspring or Morning Star)

Rex Gentium (King of the Nations)

Emmanuel (God-with-us)

Over at Digitalnun, the good sisters note that "the antiphons are sung by different members of the community (usually the seniors), and "care" is taken to ensure that certain officials receive antiphons appropriate to their office. Thus, the gardener is thought a good choice for O Radix Jesse, while the cellarer (bursar) is considered a fitting match for O Clavis David.

The O Antiphon Book used at Stanbrook Abbey
A specially grand book is used for the antiphons and the singing of them is accompanied by the ringing of all the church bells. In former times there were pittances in the refectory to mark the day. Thus, the gardener might give the community a few dried plums or raisins; the cellarer might add an extra allowance of wine, and so on. The intention was to mark these days out as days of proximate preparation to Christmas, at once solemn and joyful.

At present, there are seven O antiphons in use. Each addresses Christ using a Messianic title drawn from the prophecies of the Old Testament. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words Cras ero or "Tomorrow I shall be (with you)".

The structure of the seven antiphons we now use is essentially the same. After the invocation of Christ as Messiah comes the plea: come and show us the way of prudence, come and save us with outstretched arm, and so on, and all the antiphons follow a similar musical pattern."

As we head into the last 8 days before Christmas, why not make a few minutes of sacred space in your day to round out your preparations for the Holy and Festive Season of Christmas. The presents, decorations and parties are important to re-connect with family and friends, but lets not forget why we celebrate the holy-day.......