The O Antiphons - Part 2

Published: 18th December, 2014

In the last days of Advent the Church sharpens its focus on the coming of Jesus. In particular it thinks about who the child born of Mary really is. The readings at Mass concentrate on the events that led up to his birth. They include the ancestry of Jesus, his conception by Mary, the part played by Joseph and the circumstances of the birth of that great herald, John the Baptist.

To provide even richer insight the Church has reused the ancient O Antiphons. They date back to 9th Century Gaul and were originally written for use at Evening Prayer of the Church to be sung before and after the Magnificat in the days leading up to Christmas. After the reforms of the Second Vatican Council it was decided to include them at the celebration of Mass as well so that more people would be able to hear and appreciate them. They now form the verses used at the Gospel Acclamation.

The O Antiphons take Biblical themes which express the mystery of Christ and weave them together. Five of them in the later middle ages were adapted to produce the hymn we now know as 'O come, O come, Emmanuel'. The stress of each Antiphon moves towards the word 'veni' - 'come' expressing the desire of the children of God for the return of Christ.

Each day they provide a wonderful opportunity to pause and think about what we are celebrating at this time of the year.

18th December

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sine legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento. O Lord, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the flaming bush, and gave him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us by your outstretched arm.

The God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus Chapter 3) is the same who lay in the dimly lit stable. We understand that it is Jesus who established the New Covenant also made the First Covenant with the people of Israel at Sinai. In the time of Moses, the Lord stretched out his mighty hand and rescued the people from slavery and certain death and led them to the Promised Land. We ask the Lord to reach out to save us now.



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