Pause in Advent 21st December - O Antiphons - O Oriens

 The Antiphon for 21st December; listen, read, reflect

From the Bible;

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined."                                     Isaiah 9:2

Also compare Isaiah 60:1-2 and Malachi 4:2 or Malachi 3:20 (Hebrew text)

 

The Antiphon

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

 

In English

 Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

(Note: A literal translation of the Latin yields "O Rising Sun", but the poetic "O Morning Star" or "O Dayspring" is often preferred.)

 

From the hymn;

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.