Monthly Archives: December 2005
A Benedictine Gift
The Benedictine monks who arranged the O Antiphons built a hidden, yet delightful, little present into the collection for you to unwrap. You see, the seven messianic titles we have been praying with the past week contain a special message for all. Below are listed the titles in their original languages (Latin or Hebrew), which [...]
Dec 23 – O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. Our final O Antiphon uses the greatest of all the Messianic titles – Emmanuel. Each of the titles of the messiah also correspond to a prophecy given by Isaiah. Today the greatest of the [...]
Dec 22 – O King
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from dust. Christ is the head of us all. He is mighty God and Prince of Peace. He is the Lion of Judah. His fore-bearer, David was [...]
Dec 21 – O Radiant Dawn
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Our antiphon today reminds us of the Canticle of Zechariah, called the Benedictus, which is prayed each morning in the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds (also called Morning Prayer). Zechariah was [...]
Dec 20 – O Key of David
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Yesterday we heard about the flower that would shoot forth from Jesse. [...]
Dec 19 – O Flower of Jesse’s stem
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. The Messiah to come would be born through a different lineage than most would have [...]
Dec 18 – O Sacred Lord
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Theophany is a theological term that describes a special manifestation of God – the sort of first-person kind of encounter that [...]
