The second O Antiphon focuses on Jesus as "Adonai," a Hebrew name for God that highlights God as the true sovereign, holding power over all rulers and authorities. Throughout the Bible, we see many human rulers who claimed sovereignty — figures like Pharaoh and Caesar, for example. By naming God as Adonai, the message is clear: all human rulers are posers and imposters, subject to the rule of God, the true sovereign over all.
THE SECOND O ANTIPHON: O ADONAI
O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the law on Mount Sinai. O come and stretch out your mighty hand to redeem us.
THE SCRIPTURE READINGS: EXODUS 6:1-6 AND MATTHEW 2:1-6
Read the second O Antiphon one more time. Then read the Exodus text. Note God as sovereign and ruler over Pharoah, who claimed to rule over Israel.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.” 2 God also spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The Lord’ I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens. 5 I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians are holding as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the Israelites, ‘I am the Lord, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. This is the Word of the Lord. Exodus 6:1-6
Again, read the O Antiphon.
O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the law on Mount Sinai. O come and stretch out your mighty hand to redeem us.
Then read Matthew 2:1-6. Note the connection of Jesus as ruler.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” This is the Word of the Lord. Matthew 2:1-6
Read the O Antiphon one more time.
O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the law on Mount Sinai. O come and stretch out your mighty hand to redeem us.
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
Here’s a simple overview of the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and its connection to the O Antiphons. The hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is directly based on the O Antiphons, which have been part of Christian worship since at least the 8th century. Although the O Antiphons themselves are much older, the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as we know it today took shape in the 12th century. The version we sing now is a poetic English translation from the 19th century, based on the original Latin O Antiphons. The hymn brings all seven of these O Antiphons together, with each verse reflecting a different title for Christ used in the original prayers.
Finally, here is an accompanying song of Christmas that matches the second O Antiphon. You can get it HERE:
THINK ABOUT IT: WHAT HAS POWER OVER YOU?
A medical diagnosis? A broken relationship? A loss of income? A sadness you can’t shake? An uncertain future? An addiction? An anger? A soul-deep regret? A bitterness?A shame? A loss of hope? Fear?
Take some time and think through this issue of what has on-the-ground sovereignty over your life, emotions, outlook, perspective, attitude, etc. Then remember how St. Paul described the absolute “Adonai” sovereignty of Jesus over all things:
I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth, neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow, neither a power from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God’s whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 8:38-39 (Phillips Translation)
BENEDICTION
O Adonai, Lord of the house of Israel, you rescued your people from slavery and exile: People: Come and with great might to deliver us from all that binds us to sin and alienates us from you, through the one whom we know as Mighty Savior of all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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