O Antiphons St. Barnabas Advent Retreat December 10, 2005
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Used with permission.
O Wisdom (Sapientia) O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Isaiah 11:2-3 Isaiah 28:29 Proverbs 1:20; 8; 9 1 Cor. 1:30 O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reach from one end of the earth to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
O Lord of Might (Adonai) O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai s height in ancient times didst give the law, in cloud and majesty, and awe. Isaiah 11:4-5 Isaiah 33:22 Exodus 3 Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:6 O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, you appeared in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
O Root of Jesse (Radix Jesse) O come, thou Branch of Jesse s tree, free them from Satan s tyranny that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them victory o er the grave. Isaiah 11:1 Isaiah 11:10 Micah 5:1 Romans 15:12 Revelation 5:5 O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths and nations bow in worship: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.
O Key of David (Clavis David) O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Isaiah 22:22 Isaiah 9:6 Revelation 3:7 O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open: Come and bring the captives out of the prison house, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Dayspring (Oriens) O come, thou Dayspring from on high; and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death s dark shadow put to flight. Isaiah 9:1 Luke 1: 78-79 Malachi 4:2 O Dayspring, Brightness of the Light Eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Desire (Rex Gentium) O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Isaiah 9:5 Matthew 21:42 Isaiah 2:4 Mark 12:10 Rev. 15:3 Luke 20:17 Psalm 118:22 Acts 411 Isaiah 28:16 Ephesians 2:20 1 Peter 2:6 O King of the nations, and their Desire, you are the cornerstone who makes us both one: Come and save the creature whom you fashioned from clay.
O Emmanuel O Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 8:8 Matthew 1:23 Haggai 2:7 O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Salvation: Come and save us. O Lord, our God.
Closing Prayer Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Magnificat Antiphon My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy. The promise he made to our father, * to Abraham and his children for ever. Antiphon The prayers at the end of each antiphon were taken from Morning and Evening Prayer, compiled and edited by Howard Galley, Seabury Press. New York. You may wish to use these as the antiphon in conjunction with the Magnificat, or you can use the verses of the hymn. Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas www.epicenter.org Copyright 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas