I created this version of the Oh Antiphons decades ago by combining several ancient translations, some over 1500 years old. You may want to pray them silently and alone, or aloud in a chorus of two or more voices, beginning on December 17 and ending on December 23. The photo shows the wooden Antiphons I set out one by one in my oratory every year. They were given to me by my friend, Gilmary Cardinal, the Advent before she died. I cherish every flaw in the painted carvings, done by one of her brothers.
And I love this meditation on the meaning of all seven antiphons, written by another dear friend, Donna Couch, in her blog, “Seeking Wisdom” for December 15, 2022. She uses the word “cornerstone” for the sixth antiphon while I prefer “keystone,” since there are four cornerstones in a building but only one keystone in an arch:
“Starting with the Big Bang, the first Incarnation took place, and “Wisdom walked on the land.” In the form of a burning bush, Adonai gave us the divine law of love. The prophet Jesse’s family roots would bring forth the House of David, the divine key that would unlock the doors of ignorance and could never be shut. An inextinguishable Light, called “Radiant Dawn” or “Dayspring,” would beckon all to its luminous warmth. And then, the Messiah would come, not in secular power or glory, but disguised as a helpless infant, a hidden King of All Nations, to become “Emmanuel,” God with us, the timeless cornerstone of history.”
December 17
1. Oh Wisdom
2. Oh Wisdom
1. & 2. Oh Wisdom of our God Most High!
1. You reach from beginning to end and order all things with gentleness and strength, guiding creation with power and love. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and teach us to walk in the way of truth.
December 18
1. Oh Adonai
2. Oh Lord and Leader
1. & 2. Oh Ruler of Ancient Israel!
1. You appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai you gave him your law. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and rescue us with your mighty outstretched arm.
December 19
1. Oh Root of Jesse
2. Oh Flower of Jesse’s stem
1. & 2. Oh Flower of Jesse’s stem!
1. You are a sign of God’s love for all peoples. Before you kings shall keep silence. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and save us without delay.
December 20
1. Oh Key of David
2. Oh Key of David
1. & 2. Oh Key of David and Sceptre of the House of Israel!
1. You open and no one closes. You close and no one opens. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and free us from the prison of darkness.
December 21
1. Oh Radiant Dawn
2. Oh Morning Star
1. & 2. Oh Dayspring from on High!
1. In the tender compassion of our God, Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death.
December 22
1. Oh King of all peoples
2. Oh Desired of all nations
1. & 2. Oh Source of all unity and faith!
1. You are the Keystone uniting Jew and Gentile, binding two into one. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and deliver all peoples, whom you fashioned out of clay.
December 23
1. Oh Emmanuel
2. Oh long-awaited Savior of the nations
1. & 2. Oh King, Emmanuel, God’s Presence among us!
1. Come!
2. Come!
1. & 2. Come and dwell among us, Lord our God.
Tessa’s prayers for two voices has become an Advent tradition for my bride and me. We are grateful for her sharing it with us. Our next task is to create symbols for each antiphon.