Back in 2011, I wrote a series of reflections for the last seven evenings of Advent (tonight through the evening of December 23rd), focused upon the traditional “O Antiphons” tied to each night. Each one addresses Christ by a different title, based upon the Messianic prophesies in the Book of Isaiah. Most people are familiar with these titles from the hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, which is based upon the O Antiphons:
- Dec 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom),
- Dec 18: O Adonai (O Lord),
- Dec 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse),
- Dec 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David),
- Dec 21: O Oriens (O Rising Sun),
- Dec 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and
- Dec 23: O Emmanuel
The first letter of each Messianic title, read from Dec. 23 backwards, spells “ero cras,” or “Tomorrow, I come,” which is fitting, since the next night is the Christmas Vigil.
Instead of posting each one every day, I’ll just leave this up – it’s got the links to each night. Enjoy, and have a Blessed Advent
Awesome! I’m looking forward to the posts.
Acrostic prayer, that really is the best.
Joe, I wanted to look up the history of the Antiphons (to give props to the people who devised them, but the link doesn’t work.
Looking forward to the posts, and to Christmas.
According to http://divineoffice.org/ and Fr.Z the O Antiphons already start tonight, on the 17th of December.
Georg and Otepoti,
Thanks for catching those mistakes, both are fixed. (the whole “the day begins at the vigil the night before” thing threw me). I’ve been way too sloppy lately!
I.X.,
Joe
Great Work!
Thanks
I’m unable, though, to open ‘O clavis Dad’; it says error 404; not found
GREAT Post, Joe. Thank you and ABS prays your studies will come to fruition in the priesthood
I had the same issue with “O clovis David”. The link showed error 404.
I’ll always hear “O come O come Emmanuel” differently now.
Thanks for your insight and explanations.
Have a blessed Christmas.