1/31/2024 0 Comments Privatus dei filioIf you take the first letter of each of the names of the Messiah in the antiphons in order and then read it backwards, it forms the Latin words ero cras, which means “tomorrow, I will be. They are called the O Antiphons because each begins with “O,” followed by a name for the Messiah drawn from the book of Isaiah, supplemented with other Scriptures. The O Antiphons were recited after the Magnificat (the Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55) during the Vespers service (Evening Prayer) each evening from December 17 to December 23, the seven days preceding Christmas. a scriptural song not part of the Psalms). In line with this, I’d like to introduce you to the O Antiphons, an Advent practice that goes back at least to the eighth century and possibly to the beginning of the sixth century or even earlier.Īn antiphon is a short response recited or sung during a Church service after a Psalm or Canticle (i.e. And pondering those long centuries of waiting gives me a feeling of connection with the past and makes me want to join in with the history and practices of those who like me are looking ahead in hope for Jesus’ return. We think back to the centuries the people of Israel waited for the coming of the Messiah, and we look ahead to Jesus’ return and remember the centuries the Church has longed for his coming. Perhaps I do that because the theme of Advent (the season of the Church year that begins four Sundays before Christmas) is waiting for God to fulfill his promise to save his people. ![]() ![]() ![]() As Christmas approaches, I always find myself connecting to the past, both my family’s history and beyond that to the more distant history of the Church through the ages.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |