Advent Service on the O Antiphons
These antiphons, rich in biblical and Christological content, are sung at Vespers from December 17-24, sometimes known as "Late Advent" since the mood of the liturgy shifts at that point to one of joyous expectation as the feast of the Lord's Nativity drawns near. They are presented here in sequence with an accompanying Scripture passage.
Reading (Sirach 1:1-8)
All wisdom is from the Lord,
and with him it remains forever.
The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,
and the days of eternity—who can count them?
The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,
the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out?
Wisdom was created before all other things,
and prudent understanding from eternity.
The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?
Her subtleties—who knows them?
There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,
seated upon his throne—the Lord.
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae. / O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end mightily, and gently governing all things: come to teach us the way of prudence.
Reading (Acts 7:30-34)
“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
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 appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Sinai gave him the Law: Come to redeem us with outstretched arm.
Reading (Isaiah 11:1-3)
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
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 stand as a sign for the peoples, whom kings will meet with silence, whom nations will entreat in prayer: come to set us free, delay no longer.
Reading (Revelation 3:7, 11)
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of the holy one, the true one,
who has the key of David,
who opens and no one will shut,
who shuts and no one opens:
I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
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 Scepter of the house of Isreal, who open, and no one closes, who close, and no one opens: Come, and lead forth from the house of bondage, the captives sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
Reading (2 Peter 1:19)
We have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis. / O Rising Sun, splendor of eternal light, and sun of righteousness: Come, and enlighten those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
Reading (Revelation 15:3b-4)
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations![
4 Lord, who will not fear
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your judgments have been revealed.”
O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti. / O King of Nations, whom they have long awaited, the cornerstone, who makes both sides one: Come, and save mankind, whom You fashioned out of clay.
Reading (Isaiah 7:3,14-15)
Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young womanis with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
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 Expectation of all nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
Nunc dimittis (Canticle of Simeon)
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father…
Collect (6th Century)
O Lord,
in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our God,
give us that love which can never cease,
that will kindle our lamps but not extinguish them,
that they may burn in us and enlighten others.
O Christ, our dearest Savior,
kindle our lamps,
that they may evermore shine in your temple,
that they may receive unquenchable light from you
that will enlighten our darkness,
and lessen the darkness of the world.
Lord Jesus, we pray,
give your light to our lamps,
that in its light
the most holy place may be revealed to us
in which you dwell as the Eternal Priest,
that we may always see you,
desire you, look on you in love,
and long after you;
for your sake. Amen.
Marian Antiphon
|
ALMA Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Holy mother of our Redeemer, thou gate leading to heaven and star of the sea; help the falling people who seek to rise, thou who, all nature wondering, didst give birth to thy holy Creator. Virgin always, hearing the greeting from Gabriel’s lips, take pity on sinners. |
|