O Antiphons – 12/19/2011
December 19th, 2011
With guidance from Creative Resident Lisa Dahill, Holden Villagers are exploring and personalizing ancient prayers known as the “O Antiphons” during the final week before Christmas. The seven antiphons traditionally are sung in conjunction with Mary’s song (The Magnificat) at Vespers. They are also familiar to modern worshipers through the beloved hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Each stanza of the hymn articulates the longing of the church and world for the coming of the long-awaited Savior, calling out to Jesus using a different name or image each day.
Pastor Dahill invites Villagers to consider the specific antiphon for each day and apply the prayers to their own laments, longings and expectations by writing prayers on daily posters created by Village Artist Lori Hayes.
Pastor Dahill, associate professor of worship and Christian spirituality at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, will be in residence until Dec. 26.
Here are the daily antiphons for you to use in your own personal devotions:
December 17: O Sapientia (Greek: Sophia) = WISDOM
O Wisdom, who come forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from end to end and ordering all things
mightily and sweetly:
Come, and teach us the way of discernment.
Sirach 24:3; Wisdom 8:1; John 1:1-4; Proverbs 8:22-31; Sirach 6:24-30; Matthew 11:28-30
December 18: O Adonai = DELIVERER
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
and gave him the holy way on Sinai mountain:
Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free!
Exodus 3:2, 4bc-5, 9-10, 12-14; Exodus 6:6-9; Exodus 19:1-6a, 8a
December 19: O Radix = ROOT/FLOWERING
O Root of Jesse,
you stand as a signpost for all nations;
kings fall silent before you whom the peoples
acclaim:
Come to deliver us, and do not delay!
Isaiah 11:1-10, Isaiah 5:15; Psalm 72:8-11; Habakkuk 2:3; Hebrews 10:37; Romans 15:12
December 20: O Clavis = KEY (Opening/Closing)
O Key of David and scepter of Israel,
you open and no one can close again;
you close and no on can open:
Come lead the captive from prison;
free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow
of death.
Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7; Isaiah 42:6b-7; Psalm 107:10-16; Luke 1:79
December 21: O Oriens = DAWN, DAYSPRING
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of
death!
Genesis 1:1-5; John 1:1-5; 2 Peter 1:19; Malachi 4:2; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 60:1-3, Luke 1:78-79
December 22: O Rex Gentium = RECONCILIATION
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart;
O Cornerstone of the might arch of humankind,
who unites what is divided:
Come save the creature you fashioned out of dust.
Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:11-14; Genesis 2:7; Psalm 118:22; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-10
December 23: O Emmanuel = GOD WITH US
O Emmanuel,
king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations, Savior of all people:
Come and set us free, Lord our God!
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23; Isaiah 33:22; Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 65:5
