Backward Mutters

Several artists at the church I pastor have been collaborating on an Advent art installation titled, “O Come, O Come.” This is the first installment and the project takes its inspiration from the Great O Antiphons, and thus the project’s title borrows its name from the advent carol, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The text of that carol make use of the antiphon’s text for each of its verses.

If these Antiphons intrigue you, I’d suggest you listen to Malcolm Guite discuss the season of Advent HERE. Today is Sapientia which marks the beginning of the week before the Nativity and on which day the first of the antiphons, O Wisdom, would be sung.

The visual art included here is by artist Hannah Lis and my father-in-law, Ed Pilkington, is reading the sonnet I’ve written below.

O Wisdom (O Sapientia)
 
December 17
“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.”
 
In the silence, before words, songs, or speech,
The Spirit breathes over the water's night;
The Most High speaks; Wisdom readies to teach,
Drive away darkness, sing: "Let there be light!"
O'er Sinai, I AM in glory thunders;
Wisdom speaks again, makes her precepts known,
Reveals the way, writing worded wonders,
Her purpose and promise on tablets of stone.
David's Branch shall come, rule with right wisdom;
Prince of Peace, Immanuel, God of Might,
O'erturn the proud, exalt in His Kingdom
The meek and low whom he heals, mends, makes right.
Tonight, Wisdom waits, poised in the world's wild--
Inhales to speak through the cries of a child.

Below is a video which incorporates poem, reading, and art.