Pastoral Message: “O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and the “O Antiphons” Week of the Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2022
Pastoral Message:
“O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and the “O Antiphons”
Week of the Third Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2022
Dear People of God at Faith-La Fe!
One of the beloved hymns of the Advent and Christmas seasons is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The text for this chant-style tune is from anonymous Latin verse dating from the 12th century. From this source, John Mason Neale crafted an English translation in the 19th century based on the Latin poetry. Quite importantly the Latin verses were based on a series of seven antiphons chanted each day before the Magnificat (Mary’s Song) at monastic evening prayer (vespers) during the week before Christmas. These antiphons may have had their original development as early as the 6th Century and were in common usage by the 8th Century.
Beginning on December 17, and continuing with one antiphon per day, the monks would prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas by daily chanting one of the antiphons, each of which calls attention to titles for the Christ, the anointed one – Wisdom, Mighty Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of the Nations, Emmanuel. The first verse of the hymn version that we sing referring to Emmanuel is actually the last of the antiphons for use on December 23.
These brief texts are called the “O Antiphons,” because each begins with the plaintive interjection, “O!” Not unlike the exclamation, “Oh,” this single letter interjection is used for emphasis to express a variety of emotions and energies, here in these antiphons and this hymn, it’s the longing desire for the coming of Christ, “O, Come!”
Here’s a curious aside: Listing the first letter of the main words of the antiphons in Latin backwards according to their particular chronological arrangement (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia), this spells out the phrase in Latin, ero cras – which translates, “Tomorrow, I will come” – that is, Christ comes as the baby Jesus born of Mary on the Eve of Christmas, December 24th, at the Midnight Mass.
Each of the antiphon’s titles for the Christ, the anointed one, comes from the prophecy of Isaiah when the prophet variously proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. Here are the biblical references with further thoughts for each of the Christological titles of the antiphons – you may want to look up these passages in your own devotion at home to see the verses in wider biblical context:
Wisdom – See Isaiah 11:2-3; 28:29 (Sapientia, is Latin for wisdom, and Sophia, is the Greek word. These also relate to the Greek, Logos, that is, the Word at Creation, the Wisdom from on high, now to be made flesh, full of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ, God’s word, born of Mary)
Mighty Lord – See Isaiah 11:4-5; 33:22 (Adonai, is the Hebrew word for My Lord; and the Greek is Kyrios. This title relates to the giving of the Law to Moses at Sinai, that is, the redemption of the people of Israel through the Law, revealing a continuity with Hebrew tradition, and Christian indebtedness to Judaism)
Root of Jesse – See Isaiah 11:1; 11:10 (Radix, is the Latin, from which we also get the word radical, which means to go to the root of things. Root of Jesse means descendent of David, the great king, and all this via Joseph who was of the house and lineage of David. Jesse was David’s father)
Key of David – See Isaiah 22:22 (Clavis, the Latin word for key, refers here to the one, Christ, who can unlock the doors to death to free us from our bondage to it. Remember that we confess that Christ descended to the dead to make for our freedom from the ravages of mortality. Moreover, Christ our key opens the door to forgiveness of sins)
Dawn/Dayspring – See Isaiah 9:1-2 (Oriens, the Latin word referring to the East, suggests the rising sun, morning sun, daylight, land of the rising sun, that is, the Orient. Here think of resurrection themes, the Son rising like the Sun. Think also of light from darkness during the long nights of winter)
King of the Nations – See Isaiah 2:4 (Rex, the Latin word for king, here in this title indicates that the salvation which Christ brings is also meant for the gentiles, that is, for all the nations)
Emmanuel – See Isaiah 7:14 (Emmanuel, in Hebrew and Greek, means God is with us. That is, in Christ Jesus we know the immanence of God, the nearness of God with us at all times and in all circumstances. It’s an intimacy embodied in the vulnerability of the Christ child, the very incarnation of God, God’s word made flesh to dwell with us full of grace and truth)
There you have it: some reflections on “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and its origins in the “O Antiphons.” Thanks for indulging me in this historical and theological journey of reflection on a beloved hymn for the coming Holy Days.
Now I invite you to get out of your heads and to consider spending some of your daily devotional time with the “O Antiphons” during the week before Christmas.
Here’s what you may consider doing as a devotional practice beginning on December 17 and continuing through the 23rd focusing on one antiphon per day:
• first, read the English translation of the antiphon appointed for each day (see them listed below according to their appointed days);
• then look up the passage from Isaiah on which the antiphons are based, doing a bit of bible study to understand the wider context (see passages listed above);
• next, spend some time reflecting on the title for Christ given in each day’s antiphon, and what that designation might mean for you personally and for us in our day;
• then engage in prayer expressing your desire for Christ’s coming using your own words;
• finally read through or maybe even sing at home the stanza of the hymn that corresponds with each antiphon.
I pray that these musings and worshipful suggestions in this week’s pastoral message inspire your own devotion in the week before Christmas that you may have a heightened longing for and appreciation of Christ’s coming to us at Christmas, and in our everyday lives in church and world, and in the promised age to come.
God in Christ be with you in the power of the Spirit during these final days of Advent hopefulness and anticipation,
Pastor Jonathan Linman
Pastor’s Office Phone Number: 602-265-5860
Email: pastor@faithalive.com
December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
December 20
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
December 21
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save us, whom you formed from the dust!
December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
Announcements
Join Us for Spiritual Enrichment during Advent and Christmas
Wednesday evenings in Advent – Soup Dinner at 6:00 pm with Worship at 7:00
December 14 – Advent Lessons and Carols presented by the Chancel Choir
December 21 – La Posadas at 6:00, with dinner following worship
Saturday, December 24 at 7:30 pm (with special prelude music beginning at 7:00 pm) – Christmas Eve Worship in English
Sunday, December 25 at 9:00 am (in English) and 11:00 am (in Spanish) – Worship on Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 28 at 7:00 pm – Observance of “Blue Christmas” also commemorating The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Friday, January 6 at 7:00 pm – A Casual Social and Prayerful Gathering on the Feast of the Epiphany
Sunday, January 8 at 9:00 am (in English) and 11:00 am (in Spanish) – Baptism of Our Lord and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Rummage Sale
Do you need more closet or storage space? Too many books? A piece of furniture you don’t need anymore? We have a solution for you! Faith will hold a Rummage Sale on January 28 with proceeds going to Faith. You can help make this a fun day of treasure and bargain hunting while at the same time raising funds for Faith ministries. Your donations will be gratefully accepted starting in January. Watch this space for more details over the next weeks.