I learned something quite intriguing about the O Antiphons preparing for this brief series here on The Trailhead. As you know, there are seven different O Antipons, each centering on a different name for Jesus in scripture. Here are those seven different names, in order of use in the O Antiphon liturgy:
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) – December 17
O Adonai (O Lord) – December 18
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) – December 19
O Clavis David (O Key of David) – December 20
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) – December 21
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) – December 22
O Emmanuel (O God With Us) – December 23
If you go backwards through the O Antiphons, from Emmanuel (December 23) to Sapientia (December 17), and take the first letter of each title for Jesus, you end up with this: E-R-O-C-R-A-S. Those seven letters form two Latin words: ero cras. Do you know what ero cras means? “I will come tomorrow” or “Tomorrow, I will come!”
I have to admit, when I first came across this, my skepticism went up a notch. It kind of felt like one of those cryptic things people claim happens when you play a vinyl record backwards. But in the end, I made a choice: at worst, it’s a beautiful idea. At best, it’s a reminder that God may be speaking to us through an ancient tradition—if our hearts and eyes are finally prepared to receiving and seeing it! When I set aside my smile and skepticism, I felt a rush of joy that I had discovered a pattern of worship inviting me to be ready for the moment Christ comes.
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THE THIRD ANTIPHON: O ROOT OF JESSE
O Root of Jesse, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples: kings fall silent before you; nations bow down in worship before you. O come to save us and do not delay!
THE SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 11:1 & 11:10 AND Revelation 5:1-5
Read the O Antiphon one more time. Then see the Isaiah prophecy of the coming Messiah from the lineage of David.
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots…On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1 & 10)
Again, read the O Antiphon. Then read Revelation 5:1-5. Note the connection between a prophecy made 700 years before the birth of Christ and a vision of that same Christ in His glorious dwelling in the Kingdom of God.
1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals, 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1-5)
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
Here is a men’s choir (Vocal Majority) arrangement of the Christmas hymn that was first created as a Gregorian chant in the 12th century to support the O Antiphons. You can get it HERE:
SELAH: PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT IT
BENEDICTION
O Root of Jesse, you reach deep into our hearts to draw forth truth and justice. Come and plant within us a passion for your Kingdom; through the One whom we know as the righteous branch, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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