December 18, 2005
The "O" Antiphons
The Holy Family, First United Methodist Church Bella Vista AR
When I first began my study of Early Church Liturgy, one of the gems of the genre are the "O" Antiphons of Advent. These are a series of poetic thoughts or statements based on scripture and spoken or sung during the Vespers service in the Divine Office of the Catholic liturgy, one for each of the days of the last week of Advent. Read more about these ancient songs by
reading this beautiful website by Jeanne Kun She has each one on a page with a lovely devotion based on each one.
The "O" AntiphonsO Wisdom,
you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and,
reaching from beginning to end,
you ordered all things mightily and sweetly.
Come,
and teach us the way of prudence.
O Adonai
and Ruler of the House of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and on Mount Sinai gave him your law.
Come,
and with outstretched arm redeem us.
O Root of Jesse,
you stand as a sign for the peoples;
before you kings shall keep silence and
to you all nations shall have recourse.
Come,
save us, and do not delay.
O Key of David
and Scepter of the House of Israel;
you open and no man closes;
you close and no man opens.
Come,
and deliver from the chains of prison
those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
O Rising Dawn,
Radiance of the Light eternal
Sun of Justice:
Come,
and enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
O King of the Gentiles
and the Desired of all,
you are the cornerstone
that binds two into one.
Come,
and save man whom you fashioned out of clay.
O Emmanuel,
our King and Lawgiver,
the Expected of the nations
and their Savior.
Come,
and save us, O Lord our God.
