Today, as we begin the second half of Advent, our Sisters will light the first candle in our convent window. It is a sign that we begin the ancient prayers, the O Antiphons or the Greater Antiphons which compress and express the Messianic hope for Christ.One of these antiphons is read each day as the antiphon for “The Magnificat” in Evening Prayer from the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours. It is also used as the Alleluia verse before the Gospel in each Advent Mass from now until Christmas eve. They are the subject of the well-known Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” .
Today’s antiphon cries out to God as Wisdom. “Come Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love. Teach us to walk in the paths of knowledge.
The verse of the sung hymn is: O Come O Wisdom from on high, Who order all things mightily. To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Perhaps each day you could make a sign for each O Antiphon and place it in some prominent place in your house. Pray this prayer of longing to the Lord, and as I mentioned yesterday, SING!
Today’s antiphon cries out to God as Wisdom. “Come Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love. Teach us to walk in the paths of knowledge.
The verse of the sung hymn is: O Come O Wisdom from on high, Who order all things mightily. To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Perhaps each day you could make a sign for each O Antiphon and place it in some prominent place in your house. Pray this prayer of longing to the Lord, and as I mentioned yesterday, SING!
(I invite you to click on http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/801/O_Antiphons_of_Advent.html for a more detailed explanation.)
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