19 Dec 2010

Advent - O Antiphons - December 19th - O Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse


The third O antiphon, O Radix Jesse, takes place on December 19. Here is the Latin:

O Radix Jesse,qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.


A somewhat literal translation into English might say;

O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will hold their tongues, and you the Gentiles will seek: come to deliver us, and do not delay.

The scriptural references for this antiphon are from Isaiah 11: 10-11 (“On that day, the Gentiles shall seek out the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations; his dwelling shall be glorious. On that day, the Lord shall again take it in hand to reclaim the remnant of his people.”), as well as Is. 52:15 (“So shall he startle many nations; because of him kings shall stand speechless”), and perhaps from Paul’s quotation of Isaiah in Romans 12:15 (“And again Isaiah says: “The root of Jesse shall come, raised up to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope”).

As we know, the English words for the ever popular Advent song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, are based on the O Antiphons, but with the last antiphon made first. Here is today’s verse, the one based on O Radix:

“O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem, from ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow’r to save,
And give them victr’y o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!”

Further reflection here.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for all the reflections and the links on the 'O- Antiphons', very interesting indeed! God bless.

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