O King of Nations, whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and deliver the creature you fashioned from the dust of the earth. Three days before the birth of the Light, in the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the sixth title given toContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ King of Nations”
Tag Archives: Advent
O Antiphons ~ Radiant Dawn
O Radiant Dawn, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Four days before the birth of the Light, on this Winter Solstice, in the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the fifthContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Radiant Dawn”
O Antiphons ~ Key of David
O Key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captives from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Five days before the birth of the Light, in the OContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Key of David”
O Antiphons ~ Root of Jesse
O Root of Jesse, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings fall silent before you; nations bow down and worship you. O come to deliver us and do not delay. In the O Antiphons, the ancient prayer-song of waiting and expectation, the third title given to the Christ (or Light,ContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Root of Jesse”
O Antiphons ~ Adonai
O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the law on Mount Sinai. O come and stretch out your mighty hand to redeem us. In the O Antiphons, the ancient song of waiting and expectation, the second title given to the Christ (or Light, orContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Adonai”
O Antiphons ~ Wisdom
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You create the universe and hold all things together with strength and sweetness. O come to teach us the way of truth. Many of us are familiar with the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, but not as many of us areContinueContinue reading “O Antiphons ~ Wisdom”
The Waiting ~ A Poem of Advent
For all who wait in hope for the coming Light. Blessings, Rosemary The Waiting For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 O, Isaiah, ancient prophet of doom, prophet of ancient hope,your proclamations resound like cymbalsjarring thisContinueContinue reading “The Waiting ~ A Poem of Advent”
Darkness into Light: A Poem for Advent
“Light your candles quietly, such candles as you possess, wherever you are.” ~ Fr. Alfred Delp, martyred in Nazi Germany, age 38 As we enter the darkest time of year, my hope and prayer is that each of us will shine the light we have been given, be the light for one another. Blessings toContinueContinue reading “Darkness into Light: A Poem for Advent”
The Vespers and a Poem for Advent
Many of us are familiar with the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, composed as we know it in 1861 but with roots sunk as far back as the Roman Catholic monastic life of the 8th century. Not as many of us are familiar with the ancient O Antiphons, on which the hymn isContinueContinue reading “The Vespers and a Poem for Advent”
Whatever is Lovely
As we seek the Light through the experience of joy this week, the ancient guide Paul of the Bible’s New Testament arrives with a message: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.ContinueContinue reading “Whatever is Lovely”
