Backward Mutters

Category: poetry

• poetry

  

  Dayspring!

  The Antiphon for December 21 is O Oriens. The antiphon reads, “O Dayspring splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” The Antiphon draws its inspiration from the following scriptures: Isaiah 9:2 The people dwelling in darkness…

  December 21, 2019
• poetry

  

  Key of David

  The Great O Antiphon for December 20 is Key of David. The antiphon reads, ”O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who…

  December 20, 2019
• poetry

  

  Root of Jesse II

  The Great O Antiphon for December 19 is “O Radix” or “O Root.” It derives its inspiration from the promise of Isaiah 11:1 which reads, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Referring to the how the monarchy would…

  December 19, 2019
• poetry

  

  O Lord

  In the liturgy leading up to Christmas Eve, a series of antiphons are added during the last days of Advent. These antiphons are called the Great O Antiphons.  The Great O Antiphon for December 18 is, “O Adonai” or “O Lord.” The antiphon reads, “O Adonai, and leader of the…

  December 18, 2019
• poetry

  

  Wisdom III

  December 17 is called Sapientia, for on this day the first of the Great O Antiphons, “Sapientia” is sung in liturgy. We are familiar with the antiphons but in a lesser way as they make up the verses of the Advent carol, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Sapientia means “wisdom.”…

  December 17, 2019