December, 2002

n.9

Preparing for the Nativity

of Our Lord Jesus Christ

(Part 1)

In the seventh century the Western Church (i.e., the Roman portion of the Orthodox Church) observed the ancient custom of praying each day, from December 17-23, one of the seven "O" Antiphons, so called because each one addresses the God who comes in Christ with different biblical titles, beginning with the invocation "O". In Latin, the first letters of the titles, read in reverse order, form an acrostic "Ero Cras" which roughly translates as "I will be with you tomorrow." These texts are drenched in biblical allusions offering a rich source for personal prayer and reflection during these last final days of preparation for the celebration of Christmas.
For the sake of saving space I have abbreviated the Hymns, but hope that they will assist in your daily meditations and prayers as we prepare for this glorious feast of the Incarnation of Our Lord.

O Sapientia (Wisdom)
O heavenly Wisdom, hear our cry,
Great everlasting Son;
Who with the Father, God most high,
Are now and ever one.

Prayer:
O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reached from end to end, and disposed of all things sweetly and mightily: come and teach us the way of prudence. Amen

Scripture: Sirach 24:3-4: 7; Baruch 3:29-37; Wisdom 9: 1-6; 1 Corinthians 1:24

O Adonai (Lord)
O God, who once came down of old
To bring salvation nigh,
When all the people of your flock
Sent up a bitter cry.

Prayer:
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and with an outstretched arm, redeem us. Amen

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6, 6:6, 19:16-20:2

O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse)
O Root of Jesse, upon whom
The Spirit comes to rest;
Whose boughs through all the world shall bloom
To bless and to be blest

Prayer:
O Root of Jesse, who stood as a sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication: come to deliver us, and delay not. Amen

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-5, 52:13-53:6; Revelation 5:5, 22:16; John 15:1-4

O Clavis David (Key of David)
O Key of David, hailed by those
In fetters long confined;
For where you open, none may close,
Nor where you loosen, bind.

Prayer:
O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel: you open and no one shuts; you shut and no one opens. Come and lead forth from his prison the captive sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen

Scripture: Isaiah 22:20-24; Revelation 1:18, 3:7, 20:4-6, 13

O Oriens (Dayspring)
O very God of very God,
And very Light of Light,
Whose feet this earth's dark valley trod,
That so it might be bright.
Prayer:
O Dayspring, brightness of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen

Scripture: Luke 1:78-79; Hebrews 1:1-4; Malachai 4:2; John 8:12

O Rex Gentium (King of Nations)
O Christ, on whom the nations wait,
And kingdoms far away,
The Gentiles will own you as great
And all your words obey.

Prayer:
O King of nations, and their Desires, the Cornerstone who makes all one: come and save our race, whom you formed out of clay. Amen

Scripture: Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Isaiah 26:8-9, 40:31

O Emmanuel (God-with-us)
Not as a king you come here now;
No gold your throne adorns:
No royal crown in on your brow,
Except a crown of thorns.

Prayer:
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Savior; come and save us, O Lord our God!
Amen
Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-15; Romans 8:20-24; John 1:1-8

Notice how the 12th century hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is modeled after these very ancient Christian hymns of the Latin Church. Also, remember this is part of our history as well, the Church encompassed both Eastern and Western traditions before the Great Schism approximately 900 years ago. ( See insert for the hymn and try to ponder on the meaning of the verses, comparing them to the hymns outlined above).

Advent - the origin of this word is from the Latin word adventus, meaning arrival. This is the time of expectation and of preparation for the `coming' of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus is already present to us, but the grace of Advent allows us a more vivid, and quite new, awareness of this presence. Christian prayer during this time might be summed up in one word: `Come'. It is this `Come, Lord Jesus' with which the Book of Revelation ends. This anticipation of the Lord in fact fills an increasing place in our soul. This `Come' fills our soul more with each coming day of the Nativity Feast and drives away those thoughts, images and passions which are incompatible with the coming of Christ. Our prayer at Advent, `Come', should therefore be: `Oh, let me be aware of Thy presence in me - May the whole world feel Thy presence'. Amen

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