The 'O' Antiphons - for Gaza

Each year in the Latin tradition of the Catholic Church, during the last week of Advent, from 17th- 23rd December, the antiphon for the Magnificat of Vespers takes as its theme the ancient prophecies concerning the coming of the Christ, and opens out for us the meaning of the prophetic oracle by addressing Christ in different ways. This antiphon was often sung with great ceremony, and in monasteries different officials of the community intoned the Antiphon, and afterwards held a festal supper. The link between the official and the antiphon was often simply by association, for instance O Sapientia was the Abbot who took the a particular place of Christ in the Community structure, or O Clavis , O Key was the `Cellarer of the monastery, the one in charge of the goods and chattels of the community!

Even so these antiphons are still expressive sources for prayer in this last week before the `Nativity feasts begin, and worth our time and reflection. This year it was decided to do something to connect them directly with the Land of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection, and also the huge problems in Gaza and Israel.

There is no suggestion of blame attached to these antiphons, only a prayer to the Christ. Therefore I have simply written a poem prayer for each one, illustrated by some of the wonderful Romanesque carvings in Autun or Vezelay France. May our own use of them remind us that all Religions of the Book use some of these names to address God, and in Christianity we attribute them to Christ as the Word made Flesh amongst us.

May our prayers bring peace in some way!

Maranatha . Come Lord Jesus!

17 December: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
18 December: O Adonai
19 December: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
20 December: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
21 December: O Oriens (O Dawn of the East)
22 December: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
23 December: O Emmanuel

17 December - O Sapientia ( O Wisdom)

O Wisdom,
coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

For GAZA

O Holy Wisdom,

so loved by faithful people from of old.

Linked in Scripture, prose and poetry

to the voice and oracles of the Holy One;

Seen as the gift of prudent thought,

gentle action,

wise counsel,

the coming together of differences

at the feast of the Kingdom.

Sing Your powerful song,

to shatter the corruption, evil and mendacity

we place as idols in our world.

Reaching across races and nations

breaking down barriers of religion,

that what we destroy may be rebuilt,

our anger turned to sweetness,

aggression into gentle words of healing.

O Wisdom, give us the prudence

of true understanding!

That we may welcome you again!