Tomorrow, as some of you may know, begins the 'mini' liturgical season of Sapientiatide, which is sort of a precursor to Christmastide. In the ancient Church and presently, the season celebrated the mystery of the Incarnation. However, there are only vestiges of this major liturgical cycle retained in the modern Church, namely in the the Magnificat antiphons at Vespers between the 17th and 23rd of December. However, these antiphons are better known combined as the lyrics to the beloved carol, O Come, O Come Immanuel. As we move into the final days of Advent and prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, I think its fitting to reflect upon the mystery of the Incarnation and the love of God that it so strongly demonstrates. These ancient antiphons are not only quite beautiful, they help us reflect on this very crucial reality.
Dec 17th:* O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end [of the heavens] to another, and dost mightily and sweetly order all things: come to teach us the way of prudence!
Dec 18th: O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai: come to redeem us with outstretched arm!
Dec 19th: O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom the kings shall shut their mouths, unto whom the Gentiles shall seek: come to deliver us, make no tarrying!
Dec 20th: O Key of Davd and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest and no man shutteth; and shuttest and no man openeth: come to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death!
Dec 21st: O Day-spring Brightness of the everlasting Light, Sun of Righteousness: come to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death!
Dec 22nd: O King of the Gentiles, yea, and Desire thereof, O Cornerstone that makest of twain [two] one: come to save man, whom Thou hast made of the dust of the earth!
Dec 23rd: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and Salvation thereof: come to save us, O Lord our God
(from the Anglican Breviary)
Aquinas' Treatise on the Incarnation from the Summa Theologiae
Athanasius' On the Incarnation
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