The 'O' Antiphons: O Clavis David

20 December 2022

O Clavis David

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;

qui aperis, et nemo claudit;

claudis, et nemo aperit:

veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,

sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel; who opens and no one shuts; you close the door, and no one opens: Come and bring the prisoners from jail, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Whilst we sing this antiphon in Advent, straight away another image of Easter is conjured up, that of the Risen Christ trampling down the doors of the underworld, unlocking from death all who have died. Here is the greatest key of all, that which Christ used to open the doors of the Kingdom forever!

Perhaps we can see in the symbol of his cross a key that turns in the heart of the world and seeing it, remind ourselves that Christ will not shut this gate except to those who refuse to come in. We may not be merciful, but he is always merciful.

There is also a smaller key with which the Christ Child unlocks the hearts of each one of us, reaching out from his crib to pull us close, next to the Ox and the Ass, where we belong!

O Clavis David

O Christ-child in your cradle,

Reach out to us we pray,

Pull us so close beside you,

To rest on the sweet mown hay,

In Sweetness and loving mercy

You become for us the key,

To restoring Eden's meaning,

From sin to set us free.

Unlock our close kept secrets,

In kindness show your face,

With Ox and Ass, all creatures,

We know your warm embrace!

Help us through Your forgiving,

The wrongs that all have done,

O Clavis, O Christ ever-living,

whose victory now is won!