In this sermon, we discuss the O Antiphons in which the Church cries out begging for the Messiah to come. These antiphons are part of the Divine Office from December 17 to 23, and are some of the most famous and significant chants of the Church's Liturgy.
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December
17—"O Sapientia"/"O Wisdom"
The O Antiphon
for December 17, "O Sapientia"/"O Wisdom," is drawn from
Isaiah 11:2-3 and 28:29.
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
O Wisdom, Who didst come out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence.
December
18—"O Adonai"
The O Antiphon
for December 18, "O Adonai," is drawn from Isaiah 11:4-5 and 33:22.
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.
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the Law on Sinai: come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.
December
19—"O Radix Jesse"/"O Root of Jesse"
The O Antiphon for December 19, "O Radix Jesse"/"O Root of Jesse," is drawn from Isaiah 11:1 and 11:10.
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Root of Jesse, Who dost stand for an ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall keep silence, and unto Whom the Gentiles shall make their supplication: come to deliver us, and tarry not.
December
20—"O Clavis David"/"O Key of David"
The O Antiphon
for December 20, "O Clavis David"/"O Key of David," is
drawn from Isaiah 9:6 and 22:22.
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.
O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, Who dost open and no man doth shut, Who dost shut and no man doth open, come and bring forth from his prisonhouse the captive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.
December
21—"O Oriens"/"O Dawn of the East"
The O Antiphon
for December 21, "O Oriens"/"O Dawn of the East," is drawn
from Isaiah 9:2. "Dawn of the East" is often translated as
"Dayspring."
O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Dawn of the East, Brightness of the Light Eternal and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
December
22—"O Rex Gentium"/"O King of the Gentiles"
The O Antiphon
for December 22, "O Rex Gentium"/"O King of the Gentiles,"
is drawn from Isaiah 2:4 and 9:7.
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of them, Thou Cornerstone that dost make both one, come and deliver man, whom Thou didst form out of the dust of the earth.
December
23—"O Emmanuel"
The O Antiphon
for December 23, "O Emmanuel," is drawn from Isaiah 7:14.
"Emmanuel" means "God with us."
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the Nations and their Saviour, come to save us, O Lord our God.
The first letters backwards are: E R O C R A S - Ero Cras - I will come tomorrow!
