The 3rd Great Antiphon: O Radix Jesse — O Root of Jesse

by 1 Comment

Root of Jesse - Radix Jesse

A Sign For All Peoples The O Antiphons reflections continue with O Radix Jesse or O Root of Jesse. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season: The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. December 19 Antiphon: O Radix Jesse O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from … [Read more...]

The 2nd Great Antiphon: O Adonai, Lord and Ruler

by 1 Comment

Adonai

The law that sets us free Today our O Antiphons reflections continue with O Adonai or O Lord and Ruler. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season. December 18: O Adonai (O Lord and Ruler) O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Symbol: The tablets of stone are a picture of the Ten Commandments … [Read more...]

The 1st Great Antiphon: O Sapietia — O Wisdom

by 4 Comments

O Wisdom

O Highest Wisdom, come! The O Antiphons reflections begin with O Sapietia or O Wisdom. Read more about the rich history of all seven O Antiphons, a great treasure of the Advent season. December 17: O Sapietia (O Wisdom) 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. Symbol: The all-seeing eye represents the all-knowing and ever-present God. During the late Renaissance, the eye was pictured in a … [Read more...]

The Great Antiphons & the Rich History of O Come, O Come Emmanuel

by 7 Comments

o_antiphons_all

You are most likely familiar with the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” But are you as familiar with its rich history -- a great treasure of the Advent season? In Roman Catholic tradition, the Church begins reciting the Great Antiphons or “O Antiphons” on December 17 through December 23. This is the special period on the Church calendar known as the Octave before Christmas. There are seven antiphons, and a special one is recited each day of the Octave before and after the Magnificat … [Read more...]