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The O Antiphons THE O ANTIPHONS The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil. According to Fr. William Saunders, the exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine Abbey of Fleury (now Saint- Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. The usage of the O Antiphons was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, “Keep your O” and “The Great O Antiphons” were common phraseology. One may thereby conclude that in some fashion the O Antiphons have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church. Below are the O Antiphons accompanied with reflections written by deacons of the Diocese of Columbus. You are invited to read, study, and pray each antiphon during the seven days leading up to the birth of Our Lord. 17 December “O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!” Today as the Church begins its countdown to the birth of Christ in earnest, we rightly begin before the beginning! These antiphons collectively guide us through the history of Salvation that culminate in the coming of Emmanuel, “God with us”. Therefore, it only makes sense to look to the Wisdom of God which dwelled within Him before the beginning of time. Our salvation was born out of this Wisdom of God, predating history itself, for our benefit and sanctification. Though sin entered the world through our ignorance and selfishness, God’s Wisdom simply recast our Salvation as our Redemption in the coming Messiah. As we continue to journey through this Advent season, it is important to remind ourselves that our Redemption was won by Christ, but the work of Salvation continues. Today we are invited to contemplate our role in the history of Salvation by invoking the same Wisdom that existed before history itself. In these days, we must look to the Wisdom of God as the constant thread in the tapestry of time that reveals to us the Kingdom of Heaven, His love incarnate and plan for our lives and all His creation that existed before the beginning. --Dcn Joe Ciaciura (St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westerville) 18 December O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! Advent is a period of waiting to be sure, but it is also a time of remembrance. In particular, we recall the People of Israel and our profound connection to them. It was to our Jewish brethren that God revealed Himself and made a covenant, saying that He would be their God and they would be His people. The Lord literally broke into human history with this covenant. He revealed to Moses the divine plan to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into freedom. The account of the awesome power with which God intervened on their behalf is still related yearly in the Passover ritual. With that same power, the Lord gave His Law to Moses so that His People would know how to conduct their lives in a way that would please Him. For Christians, our waiting centers on Jesus Christ, the Promised One of Israel. It is Jesus Who brought the salvation long-promised to the People of Israel and complete reconciliation with the Father. The mighty power with which Jesus did this, through his suffering, death, and his glorious resurrection, is unprecedented and continues to resound through our world, our Church and in the hearts of believers! We now anticipate the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, and at the same time, we await His return in glory. Our prayer today calls us to remember that we love and serve a Mighty God and a Powerful Lord! In the midst of this winter waiting, may our eyes be drawn to the approaching light of the Lord Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. --Dcn. John Crerand (St. Michael Parish, Worthington & Diocesan Tribunal) 19 December O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! As we continue to follow our rich Faith Tradition of preparing more intensely now these seven days before celebrating the Vigil and Christmas of the Nativity of Our Lord, we do so in word and song. Today’s O’ Antiphon of this third day points us to the lineage of Jesus Christ himself and connects us to a period of great despair, but yet great Hope! The prophet Samuel was informed by the Lord that he would find a successor to King Saul among the seven sons of an elderly farmer of the Holy town of Bethlehem. A farmer named Jesse! However, Jesse had an eighth son, the youngest and a shepherd who was summoned to meet Samuel as none of the seven were chosen. And thus, David was chosen and immediately anointed by Samuel as the next King of Israel receiving the Spirit of the Lord (the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit). Thus, the Davidic Dynasty of Israel came about through the stump of Jesse, a mere remnant after periods of exile. And it was this shoot of David as King that would foretell a new shoot and the blossoming of a new Flower of Jesse’s stem, the messianic King – Our Lord Jesus Christ centuries later. Fast forwarding 2000+ years later, we celebrate this day O Root of Jesse’s stem (‘O Radix Jesse) as we anticipate and implore the messianic King to save us without delay! How are we connected then and what might we be called to do? This O’ Antiphon reminds me of my and maybe your parents and ancestors passing on rich family traditions in Faith. How wonderful and beautiful a gift to our current generations that families can unite through the shoot from Jesse’s stump as a sign of God’s Love for us -all! Thus, we are reminded today, in especially challenging times, that we are called to pass onto future generations a legacy of faith, trust, love, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. For as St. Augustine teaches us, “ever Ancient, ever New” is our Scripture which reminds us of families long ago and strengthens us today in Hope for tomorrow’s most joyous family reunion in God’s Heavenly Kingdom! --Dcn. William Demidovich (St. Michael Parish, Worthington) 20 December O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! Heavenly Father, Your prophet Isaiah foretold Your promise, “I will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (Isaiah 22:22) It is Your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ, O Key of David, to whom You have given this power and authority and responsibility. Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending to us Your Son, O Key of David, to free us from the prison of darkness and to open for us the gates of Your eternal Kingdom. By Your Son, O Key of David, we have been set free FROM a life separated from You, from Your love, from Your joy, and from Your peace - now and eternally. And by Your Son, O Key of David, we have also been set free TO love You, to praise You, and to serve You - now and eternally. This is what we were made to do, what we do best, and the one thing that brings us true and lasting happiness and meaning. Heavenly Father, You know us and love us intimately and personally, as if the only key that perfectly and without effort unlocks the greatest treasure. We pray for You to send us Your Holy Spirit to give us exactly what we need this very moment in order to accept Your gift of freedom and to release us from all the pain, anger, fear, confusion, and hurt our sin has caused us and others. We humbly and with great confidence ask this of You through Your Son and Our Lord, O Key of David. Amen. --Dcn. Jeffrey Fortkamp (Our Lady of Peace Parish, Clintonville) 21 December O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. This year's winter solstice is today. "Solstice" comes from the Latin word which means "the sun stands still". After seeming to move away from the Earth for six months, the sun seems to stop briefly and then begin its return. As the days slowly begin to get longer, let's begin to start our days by consciously making God a part of my planning. A simple prayer can help: "O God, I want to do today whatever it is you want me to do." In the Gospel today, Mary sets out to visit Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth hears her voice, the infant in her womb, John the Baptist, leaps for joy.
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