Monday, December 17, 2007

The O Antiphons

During the Advent season, the closer the feast of Christmas approaches, the more the liturgy accentuates the call to the Savior to "Come!" (Veni) The seven O Antiphons of Advent summarize the hopes of the people in the Old Testament who waited for the coming of the Messiah:

  • O Wisdom
  • O Lord of Might
  • O Flower of Jesse's Stem
  • O Key of David
  • O Dayspring
  • O Desire of Nations
  • O Emmanuel (God with-us)
Today's O Antiphon:

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

As Wisdom, Christ is the teacher of the way to salvation for all Christians. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6) We exhort him to come and teach us that way.

From The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook


No comments: