Pastor's Note

COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS
December 17th, 2006

In the Middle Ages, the faithful enjoyed doing a count-down to Christmas through what was called the ‘O’ antiphons. As I shared this last week with the adults at Generations of Faith, they were excited to understand this little insight. Here it is. Follow closely.
An antiphon is a one-line refrain that is recited each day before and after the Magnificat as part of the evening prayer (Vespers). Beginning on December 18 and lasting for seven days, each antiphon begins with the word ‘O’ to celebrate some title or aspect of the Messiah’s coming. So the countdown goes like this.
December 18 – O Sapientia (Wisdom)
December 19 – O Adonai (Lord)
December 20 – O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse)
December 21 – O Clavis (Key of David)
December 22 – O Oriens (Dayspring)
December 23 – O Rex Gentium (King of nations)
December 24 – O Emmanuel (God with us)

Now the first letter of each word, starting with the last and going backwards, forms an acrostic. So you have the letters: E R O C R A S. Broken apart, you have two words in Latin, “Ero Cras,” which freely translated means “I will be there tomorrow.”
People knew this little puzzle and excitedly waited to form the words that expressed the Messiah will be coming on the following day.
Today, the O antiphons are still prayed at Vespers by priests, monks, nuns, and others. You can find these seven titles of Jesus preserved in the advent song, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” As we sing it today, let the countdown begin!