THE "O ANTIPHONS" CROWN OF ADVENT PREPARATION
(From The Twelve Days of Christmas, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN,
1955)
The theme of the Advent season has been one of joyous expectancy as the
Church, in vigilant preparation, waited and watched for the first signs of
the coming of the Lord. The very name Advent, and the Masses of the four
Sundays with their urgent plea to Christ to "hasten and delay not" have
reminded us that we are awaiting His coming in grace at Christmas, and in
glory at the end of time.
On the evening of December 17 the last and most intensive phase of Advent
preparation begins. On this evening is inaugurated the first of the Great
"O's" of Advent. The "O Antiphons" are seven Jєωels of liturgical song, one
for each day until Christmas Eve. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing
as they paint in vivid terms the wretched condition of mankind and his need
of a Savior. Addressing Christ with seven magnificent titles, they beg Him
with mounting impatience to come to save His people.
The "O Antiphons" are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries at the
Vesper Hour, before and after our Lady's great song of thanksgiving, the
Magnificat, which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the
Divine Office. But in recent years families interested in the liturgy have
discovered these gems of poetry and have used them as part of their family
evening prayers, sometimes in conjunction with the "O Antiphon House." This
is a little house which can be bought or constructed simply; it has seven
sealed windows, each masking an appropriate symbol for the different "O
Antiphons," and an eighth window hiding the Christmas scene. These windows
are opened one by one each day at the singing of the antiphon. The Twelve
Days of Christmas Kit contains an "O Antiphon" Tower which the children can
cut out and put together.
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O ANTIPHONS
December 17
Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one
end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach
us the way of prudence!
Latin
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad
finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam
prudentae.
THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He
that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His
Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him.
He hath shown might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit
of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their throne, and hath
exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich
He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He
spoke to our Fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
- Repeat Antiphon:
Wisdom that comest.....
or O Sapientia....
- Sing "O come, O come Emmanuel"
or "Veni, veni Emmanuel"
----------------------
December 18
Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the
burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an
outstretched arm!
Latin
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et
ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
- The Magnificat
- Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
----------------------
December 19
Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the
kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver
us, do not tarry.
Latin
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os
suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
- The Magnificat
- Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
--------------------
December 20
Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man
shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner
from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Latin
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.
- The Magnificat
- Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
--------------------
December 21
Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to
give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
Latin
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeterae, et sol justitae: veni, et illumina
sedentes
in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
-The Magnificat
-Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
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December 22
King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest
of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the
earth!
Latin
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque
unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
-The Magnificat
-Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
--------------------
December 23
Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and
salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!
Latin
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
-The Magnificat
-Repeat Antiphon
- Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
Topic: The O Antiphons for Advent (Read 1455 times)