The O Antiphons - Day 7

Today's antiphon reads "O Come, O Come Emmanuel (God-with-Us)"

O Emmanuel,

Rex et legifer noster,

expectatio gentium,

et Salvator earum:

veni ad salvandum nos,

Domine, Deus noster.

Translated:

O Emmanuel,
our King and lawgiver,
the one awaited by the Gentiles,
and their Savior:
come and save us,
Lord our God.

(Icon by Dee Cooper Swift.) Here's a related tale:

The land of Persia was once ruled by a wise and beloved Shah who cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so the Shah made his way to the dark place to sit with the man who tended the fire. The two men shared the coarse food, and the Shah befriended him in his loneliness. Day after day the ruler went to visit the man. The worker became attached to this stranger because he "came where he was." One day the Shah revealed his true identity, and he expected the man to ask him for a gift. Instead, he looked long into his leader's face and with love and wonder in his voice said, "You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat my coarse food, and to care about what happens to me. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you have given yourself!"

The O Antiphons - Day 6

Today's antiphon is "O Come, O King of Nations"

O Rex Gentium,
et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis,
qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem quem de limo formasti.


Translated:
O King of the Nations,
and the one they desired,
keystone,
who makes both peoples one:
come, and save mankind whom you formed from the dust of the earth.

The O Antiphons - Day 5

Today's antiphon is "O Come, O Rising Dawn"

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae,

et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina

sedentes in tenebris,

et umbra mortis.

Translated:

O Dayspring,

splendor of eternal light,

and sun of justice:

come, and illuminate

those seated in darkness,

and in the shadow of death.

The O Antiphons - Day 4

Today is "O Come of Key of David"

O Clavis David,
et sceptrum domus Israel,
qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperuit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

Translated:
O Key of David, 
O royal Power of Israel,

controlling at your will the gate of heaven:

Come, break down the prison walls of death

for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;

and lead your captive people into freedom.

The O Antiphons - Day 3

Today is "O Come, O Root of Jesse's Stem"

O Radix Jesse,
qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.
Translated:
O Root of Jesse, 
that stands for an ensign of the people, 
before whom the kings keep silence 
unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: 
come to deliver us, and tarry not.

The O Antiphons - Day 2

Today is "O Come, O Giver of the Law"


O Adonai,
et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni and redimendum nos in rachio extento.


Translated:
O Adonai,
and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and give him the law on Sinai:
come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

The O Antiphons - Day 1

The Catholic Church since the 8th or 9th century has prayed the "O Antiphons"-- a different refrain each day of the final week before Christmas for the familiar hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel" or in Latin "Veni, Emmanuel."  I love how the titles are listed in order, based on the various titles for the Christ from Scripture. The translation and beautiful artwork are accompanied by a sermon from one of the saints at the website: www.DailyGospel.org

Today is
"O Come, 
O Wisdom 
from On High"


O Sapientia,

quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,

attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter,

suaviterque disponens omnia:

veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

Translated:

O Wisdom,

who proceeds from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching out mightily from end to end,

and sweetly arranging all things:

come to teach us the way of prudence.

Does anyone else see how appropriate this message is for our modern culture and for families facing the emotions of Christmas-time?