We have now reached day seven and our final ‘O’ antiphon. Emmanuel, which means “God with us” is more than a title- it is a promise, a truth, and a comfort- it is the heart of the Christian mystery.

From the very beginning, God has desired to dwell among His people. ...

O King, whom all people desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save us whom you made from clay.

While reflecting on this ‘O Antiphon’, I was reminded of a recent lecture that we shared as a community on some significant ecumenical councils, specifically the Council of Florence that was held between the years 1439- 1445. This council was an attempt to reconcile the already centuries old divide between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

As we continue our reflections on the O Antiphons, I’d like to read a quotation from a commentary ‘Year of Grace’: “Not sacred history but nature inspires today’s antiphon. The sun as a symbol of Christ is one of the finest figures in Sacred Scripture and the liturgy. He is the Rising Sun. ...

O Key of David and sceptre of Israel,
what you open no one else can close again;
what you close no one can open.
O come to lead the captive from prison;
free those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death.

It would be difficult to reflect on this antiphon as this Holy Year of Hope draws to a close without making the connction to the Jubilee Year and the significance of the Holy Door.

All our Advent O antiphons apply to Jesus our Saviour the most magnificent titles drawn form the Messianic prophecies and throw light on the various prerogatives of His salvific work. ...

O Adonai, is a title that bring us to the innermost depths of God’s mystery. It draws attention to the extraordinary paradox of Christmas, hidden in the Hebrew language. The word Adon signifies a master, a free man who has self-control. Its opposite is Ewed — slave. The Incarnation is the moment when ...

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

As we begin our reflections on the ‘O Antiphons’, we can’t help noticing that each Antiphon contains the word “COME!”

With this repeated word we are imploring God to come and save us. ....

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,
the One whom the peoples await and their Saviour:
O come and save us, Lord our God!

This last of the O Antiphons is the culmination of them all. All the previous themes of the antiphons, wisdom and radiant light, kingly authority, and law, take on flesh in Emmanuel, the Incarnate King who will bring the salvation and liberation that previous antiphons have besought.

O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the corner stone
which makes all one.
O come and save us whom you made from clay.

O King whom all peoples desire – all peoples desire Him because they are made by Him as St Augustine reminds us: “You have made us for Yourself O God and our hearts are restless until we can rest in You.” In our O Antiphon today we cry out to Him to come to save us