Dec 17th - 23rd: The O! Antiphons

Though we often only think of them as one song (O Come, O Come Emmanuel), the O! Antiphons spread over a seven day period - the seven days before Christmas. And just like the way we cram all of Advent into Christmas nowadays, we forget to celebrate each day until Christmas. Advent is about anticipation, and waiting - it means waiting for someone of great esteem; each day has its own splendor, its own part of the journey to redemption. Each day calls us to marvel at the wonder, splendor, and grace of God in our lives. Like an Advent Calendar, each day opens to reveal another surprising aspect of Jesus, ever deepening our understanding and awe. O! Sometimes just thinking about it takes my breath away! Perhaps that is the best way to approach each day. Think of each O! as a gasp of surprise and joy and let wonder fill you day!
Of course I am guilty as charged, cramming them all into one meditation! I have got to work on that....

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O Sapiéntia, (Oh Wisdom - 17th)
quæ ex ore Altíssimi prodísti,
attíngens a fine usque ad finem,
fórtiter suavitérque dispónens ómnia:
veni ad docéndum nos viam prudéntiæ.

O Adonái (Oh Adonai [Lord] and Ruler - 18th)
  et Dux domus Israel,
qui Móysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuísti
et ei in Sina legem dedísti:
veni ad rediméndum nos in bráchio exténto.

O radix Iesse, (Oh Stem of Jesse - 19th)
qui stas in signum populórum,
super quem continébunt reges os suum,
quem gentes deprecabúntur:
veni ad liberándum nos, iam noli tardáre.

O clavis David (Oh Key of David - 20th)
  et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui áperis et nemo claudit;
claudis et nemo áperit:
veni et educ vinctum de domo cárceris,
sedéntem in ténebris et umbra mortis.

O Oriens, (Oh Light of the East [the Dawn] - 21st)
  splendor lucis ætérnæ
et sol iustítiæ:
veni et illúmina sedéntes in ténebris et umbra mortis.

O Rex géntium (Oh King of all People [Nations] - 22nd)
  et desiderátus eárum,
lapísque anguláris,
qui facis útraque unum:
veni et salva hóminem,
quem de limo formásti.

O Emmánuel, (Oh God Among Us - 23rd)
rex et légifer noster,
exspectátio géntium et salvátor eárum:
veni ad salvándum nos,
Dómine Deus noster.

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