FROM CHRISTMAS to EPIPHANY and BEYOND
Before Dawn;    Wondrous Exchange;    Today, are held the Nuptials;    Three Wonders


 


ANTIPHONS:
 
CHRISTMAS;
 
MARY, MOTHER
of
GOD;
 
EPIPHANY
 
 

 Illuminated Missal 
Epiphany: Ecce advenit


 

 

 



 Christmas Antiphon Before Dawn - Christ Bridegoom

 


 


CHRISTMAS DAY ANTIPHON:
Christ is the Bridegroom
 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilfrid Weitz, OSB, Christmas Day Benedictus Antiphon      

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

  


Mary Mother of God Antiphon: O What a Wondrous Exchange - theosis

 


 


MARY MOTHER of GOD ANTIPHON:
We are Sharers in the Divinity of Christ
 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilfrid Weitz, OSB, Mary Mother of God, Antiphon 2                  

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

  

  

  

  

  


Epiphany_Antiphon_Today_are_Held

 


 


EPIPHANY ANTIPHON:
The Wedding Feast of The Church
 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilfrid Weitz, OSB, Epiphany Benedictus Antiphon          

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

  

  

  

  

 

 


Tribus Miraculis - with English translation

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


RORATE CÆLI HYMN
 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 1. NE irascáris Dómine, ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:

ecce cívitas Sancti facta est desérta:

Síon desérta fácta est: Jerúsalem desoláta est:

domus sanctificatiónis túae et glóriae túae,

ubi laudavérunt te pátres nóstri. 

             Rorate.

 1. Do not be angry, O Lord, at our iniquities.

Behold the city of your Holy Ones is deserted:

Sion is deserted, Jerusalem now is desolate:

The house of your blessing and your glory,

where our fathers praised you.  (Is 64:9-11)

             Rorate.

 2. Peccávimus, et fácti súmus tamquam immúndus nos,

et cecídimus quasi folium univérsi:

et iniquitátes nóstrae quasi véntus abstulérunt nos:

abscondísti fáciem túam a nóbis,

et allisísti nos in mánu iniquitátis nostrae.

              Rorate.

 2. We have sinned and become like some loathsome thing,

 And we fall like all the leaves,

 And our iniquities blow us about as the wind:

 You have hidden your face from us,

And struck us with the hand of our iniquity. (Is 64:6-7)

             Rorate.

 3· Víde Dómine afflictiónem pópuli túi,

et mítte quem missurus es :

emítte Agnum dominatórem térrae,

de Pétra desérti ad montem fíliae Sion:

ut áuferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostrae.                   

             Rorate.

 3. See, O Lord, the affliction of your people,

And send The One whom You will send,

 send forth the Lamb, ruler of the earth

From the rock in the desert to the mount of your daughter Sion,  (Is 61:1)

So that he will remove the yoke of our captivity.(cf Is 10:27; cf Is 14:25)

             Rorate.

 4· Consolamini, consolamini, popule méus:

cito véniet sálus túa:

quare maeróre consúmeris, quia innovávit te dolor?

Salvábo te, nóli timére, égo enim sum Dominus Déus tuus,

Sanctus Israel, Redémptor tuus.

 

             Rorate.

 4. Be  consoled, be consoled, my people:  (Is. 40:1)

I will send your salvation quickly. (cf Is. 62:11)

Why are you consumed with grief, why renew your pain?

I will save you, do not be afraid, for I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel and your Redeemer
  
(cf Is. 41:14)

             Rorate.

 

 

 



 

 FROM THE PROPHET ISAIAH

[44] 24 THUS says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who stretched out the heavens alone, who spread out the earth […] who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins’;  27 who says to the deep, ‘Be dry, I will dry up your rivers’;  28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfil all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’

[45] THUS says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and ungird the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:  2 “I will go before you and level the mountains […] I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me,  6 that all may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.  7 I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe, I am the LORD, who do all these things.

8SHOWER , O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may sprout forth, and let it cause righteousness to spring up also; I the LORD have created it.”

 

 

 

O Antiphons


 

 

 


 

 


THE GREAT “O” ANTIPHONS
 

 

 


 The “Great Antiphons,” or “O Antiphons”, are sung at the Magnificat at Vespers, and may be used as the Alleluia verse at mass, one each day, from December 17 to 23. Each Antiphon invokes the coming Messiah, employing one of His many biblical titles, and closes with a proper petition. The authors are unknown. They date from the ninth century or earlier; and have been deliberately arranged so that the first letter of each title, viewed as it were from Christmas Eve, spell out the phrase: Ero Cras – I come tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 Antiphonæ Majores ad Magnificat, Die 17 Decembris.    Antiphonale Monasticum (Paris, 1934) p. 208

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

17

O SAPIENTIA,

quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti,

attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter,

suaviter disponensque omnia:

veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

O Wisdom,

You who proceed from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching out from end to end,

strongly and gently arranging all things:

come to teach us the way of prudence.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

18

O ADONAI,

et dux domus Israël,

qui Moyse in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,

et ei in Sina legem dedisti:

veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai,

and leader of the house of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush,

and on Sinai gave him the law,

come to redeem us with outstretched arm.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

19

O RADIX JESSE,

qui stas in signum populorum,

super quem continebunt reges os suum,

quem gentes deprecabuntur:

veni ad liberandum nos,

jam noli tardare

O Root of Jesse,

who stand as a sign for the people,

before whom kings remain silent,

whom the nations will worship:

come to set us free,

do not delay.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

20

O CLAVIS DAVID,

et sceptrum domus Israël,

qui aperis, et nemo claudit,

claudis, et nemo aperuit:

veni, et educ vinctum

de domo carceris,

sedentem in tenebris,

et umbra mortis.

O Key of David,

and scepter of the house of Israel,

you open, and no one shuts,

you shut, and no one opens:

come, and lead the prisoner

from the house of imprisonment.

sitting in darkness

and the shadow of death.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

21

O ORIENS,

splendor lucis aeternae,

et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina

sedentes in tenebris,

et umbra mortis.

O Dawn,

splendor of eternal light,

and sun of justice,

come, and shine,

on those sitting in darkness,

and the shadow of death.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

22

O REX GENTIUM,

et desideratus earum,

lapisque angularis,

qui facis utraque unum:

veni, et salva hominem,

quem de limo formasti.

O King of the Nations,

and the one they desired,

cornerstone,

who makes both one,

come and save mankind,

whom you formed from the mud.

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER

23

O EMMANUEL,

Rex et legifer noster,

expectatio gentium,

et Salvator earum:

veni ad salvandum nos,

Domine, Deus noster.

O Emmanuel,

Our king and bearer of the law

The gentiles’ expectation,

and their Savior:

come to save us,

Our Lord God.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


O Sapientia -  Dec. 17

O Sapientia: (Wisdom) came out of the mouth of the Most High (Ecclus. 24, 5). attingens: “She (Wisdom) reacheth therefore from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly” (Wis. 8, 1). a fine usque ad finem: everywhere (Wis 7 94)


O Adonai  Dec. 18

Adonai: a Hebrew name for God, usually translated in the Old Testament by the word “Lord.” domus Israel: the house of Israel, the Israelites. in igne flammoe rubi: condensed from Ex. 3, 2: ‑Apparuitque el Dominus in flamma ignis de medio rubi. And the Lord appeared to him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. in Sina legem dedisti: The giving of the Law on Sinai is recorded in Ex. 19 ff. The arm is a symbol of strength, might, power; and an outstretched arm is a powerful, helping arm. Cf. Deut. 26, 8, 3 Kings 3, 42; Jer. 27, 8.


O  Radix Jesse Dec. 19

      Radix: a descendant, offspring. Jesse: the father of David.. “In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the  Gentiles shall beseech” (Is. 11, 10). Cf. also Rom. 15, 12. in signum populorum: an allusion to the ensign or standard of the Cross around which the converted Gentiles would in time rally; in here denotes purpose. super quem: “Kings shall shut their mouths at (in presence of) him” (Is. 52, 15). The kings of the nations, moved by respect and admiration, shall be silent in His presence.


O Clavis David  - Dec. 20

Clavis David: “Thus says the holy one, the true one, he who has the key of David; he who opens and no man shuts, and who shuts and no man opens” (Apoc. 3, 7; Cf. Is. 22, 22). A key is a symbol of power, and Christ, who was of the house of David, possessed the supreme  power. He could open heaven or close it. And in the Church He gave to St. Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” the power of binding and loosing in His naine (Matt. 16, 19). sceptrum: fig., land, kingdom. “Israel is the scepter of his inheritance‑ (Jer. 51, 19).


O Oriens  - Dec 21

      Oriens: the term is used of the rising of the sun or of any heavenly body; here the Sun is Christ. It is one of the many Scriptural titles of the Messias, the Light of the world (John 8, 12), the Sun of justice (Mal. 4, 2), the Orient (Daybreak, Dayspring) from on high that visited us (Luke 1, 78), the bright Morning Star (Apoc. 22, 16), the Light of the Gentiles (Is. 49, 6), the Brightness or Effulgence of the Father’s glory (Heb. 1, 3). illumina: “To shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1, 79).


O Rex Gentium Dec. 22

Rex gentium: “He who shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope” (Rom. 15, 12, in which St. Paul quotes Is. 11, 10). desideratus: lit., the desired one. “And the Desired of all nations shall come” (Hag. 2, 8). lapis angularis: “You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with jesus Christ himself as the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2, 20). qui facis utraque unum: Christ is our peacemaker who has broken down the partition wall and made jews and Gentiles one in the Church (Eph. 2, 14). In the Church there is no distinction of race.


 O Emmanuel Dec 23

Emmanuel: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son; and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which is, interpreted, ‘God with us’“ (Matt. 1, 23).

 


PUER NATUS EST

 

 


 

PUER NATUS EST (A Child is born for us)
INTROIT (Entrance Antiphon for the
MASS of CHRISTMAS DAY
 

 


A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Angel of Great Counsel. (Isaiah 9:6)


 

              u-er    na-tus   est  no-bis,   et  fi-lius   da-tus est no-bis,
                     A  child   is  born   to  us,                     and    a  Son        is  given  to  us:

 

   cu-ius  impé-ri-um   su-per    hú-me-rum   e   -  jus
     Whose        government          is  upon                     His  shoulder:

 

      et vo-cá-bi-tur  nomen  ei-    us, magni consí-li-i   An-ge-lus.
         and   His  Name    shall   be   called                 Angel    of    Great    Counsel.

 


V/.  Cantate Domino canticum novum quia mirabilia fecit. (Ps.97. 1)
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things


 

 

 


THEMES


1. CHILD/SON

3. GOSPEL/FAITH

2. RULER/STEWARD

4. WISDOM/PARTNER






1. CHILD/SON


 

 


1. GOD AS CHILD AND SON: 
THE GIFT of DIVINE FILIATION
 

 

 


CHILD: יֶלֶד (yeled);  παιδίον (paidion); Puer  

SON: בֵּן (bēn); υἱὸς (huios); Filius


Gherarducci, Puer Natus est (1395)


titles_1


CHILDvulnerability – dependence on community
SON – hope for future;  One Who will carry on. “I will not be the last”

Lumen Fidei §51journey towards a future of hope

    §52 Faith and the family and what is symbolizes (as sign of  hope)

    §59 DIVINE ADOPTION

“The movement of love between Father, Son and Spirit runs through our history, and Christ draws us to himself in order to save us (cf. Jn 12:32). At the centre of our faith is the confession of Jesus, the Son of God, born of a woman, who brings us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, to adoption as sons and daughters (cf. Gal 4:4).  [in other words, the titles of child and son are ours, as well!


 

 

 

 

BUT when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Gal.4:4-6) ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον,  5  ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.  6  Ὅτι δέ ἐστε υἱοί, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν κρᾶζον· αββα ὁ πατήρ.  7  ὥστε οὐκέτι εἶ δοῦλος ἀλλὰ υἱός· εἰ δὲ υἱός, καὶ κληρονόμος διὰ θεοῦ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2. RULER/STEWARD


 

 


2. GOD AS RULER:
HUMANITY AS STEWARD
 

 

 


GOVERNMENT: מִשְׂרָה (misrā); ἀρχὴ (archē); Imperium

STEWARD / GARDINER


Medieval Illum Jewish Psalter: Psalm 1, Ashre!


titles_2


DOMINION of GOD - STEWARDSHIP of HUMANITY


Genesis Laudato Si and Theology of Body

Laudato Si,§62 ff.: To “work” and “keep/guard” the Garden (Gen 2:15)


Pope Francis encouraged us to read Dante's Divine Comedy, especially during the Year of Mercy

The Garden as Dante's Image of restored Heaven


PRAYER and CONTEMPLATION RECREATE THE GARDEN
in
OUR HEARTS


Medieval Illum Jewish Psalter: Psalm 1, Ashre!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


3. GOSPEL/FAITH


 

 


3. GOD AS GOSPEL:  HUMAN FAITH
in
THE GOOD NEWS
 

 

 


MESSENGER: [פִּלְאִי (pil’î) wonderful]; ἄγγελος (angelos); Angelus  

GOSPEL: εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion); GOOD NEWS


Andrei Rubilev, The Blessed Trinity (c.1425)


titles_3


THE GOOD NEWS of DIVINE LOVE
WE ARE THE HERALDS of DIVINE COMPASSION

Fundamental Problem: We have a predisposition to believe that God is grasping, exacting, Jealous of His prerogatives.

CATECHISM §397-400
 

In our moral exhortation we sometimes act as if we are afraid that if grace is [excessively] preached, sin will abound: Pauls ancient question:


 

 

 

 

WHAT shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1) Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; ἐπιμένωμεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσῃ;

 

 

 

 


Pope Francis - MISERICORDIA et MISERA (Mercy [with those in] Misery)

Rorate Coeli: consolamini, consolamini, populus meus...(Is 40:1)

We can become a people who bless Pope FRANCIS: A People Who Bless

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


4. WISDOM/PARTNER


 

 


4. GOD AS WISDOM:  EVANGELIZATION
AS ADVOCACY AND PARTNERSHIP
 

 

 


COUNSELOR: יוֹעֵץ  (yō‘ēs) ; βουλή (boulē); Counsilium

ADVOCATE: παράκλητος (paraklētos); HELPER


Duccio, Siena Maesta: Emmaus (1310)


titles_4


COUNSEL / PRUDENCE / WISDOM


– How and when to communicate

– Companioning, walking with; learning language, inculturation

  THE NEW EVANGELIZATION;

Evagelium Gaudii on Proclaiming Gospel (esp.§ 259-266)

Amoris Laetitia (nav) on Companionship with People of God on Journey

Duccio, Siena Maesta: The Healing of the Blind Man (1310)

 

WE GO TOGETHER TO GOD
     The Rule of Benedict, ch. 72

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


ENGLISH HYMNS
 

 

 

 


 

 


COMFORT, COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE
Isaiah 40:1-8. Johann Olearius, tr. C. Winkworth; BOURGEOIS 87.87.7.88


 

 

 



 

 

 


COME, MY WAY, MY TRUTH, MY LIFE
George Herbert, THE CALL. R. Vaughan Williams



 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 



 

 

 


THE GRADUALE TRIPLEX
Solesmes, 1979, pp. 34-35


 


 

 

 


NEUMES
CAROLINGIAN MUSICAL NOTATION



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

“Cum ortus fuerit sol de Caelo, videbitis Regem regum procedentem a Patre, tanquam sponsum de thalamo suo.”

The text is apparently a Christian adaptation of Psalm 19: 4-5: “In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.”


 


O WHAT A WONDROUS EXCHANGE

O admirabile commercium!
Creator generis humani,
animatum corpus sumens,
de Virgine nasci dignatus est:
et procedens homo sine semine,
largitus est nobis suam Deitatem.

O admirable exchange:
the creator of human-kind,
taking on a living body
was worthy to be born of a virgin,
and, coming forth as a human without seed,
has given us his deity in abundance.

O wonderful gift:
the creator of the human race,
taking our flesh upon him,
deigns to be born of a virgin;
and, coming forth without seed of man,
bestows his Divinity upon us.

 


 

EPIPHANY:

"Today the Church hath been joined to her heavenly Spouse, for Christ hath washed away her sins in the Jordan; the Magi hasten with gifts to the royal nuptials, and the guests are gladdened with wine made from water, alleluia."

-- Antiphon for the Benedictus, Lauds

Hodie caelesti sponso juncta est ecclesia quoniam in Jordane lavit Christus ejus crimina currunt cum muneribus magi ad regales nuptias et ex aqua facto vino laetantur convivae alleluia

 

 

2Vesp Magn Ant: Tribus miraculis ornatum diem

 

"We celebrate a holy day adorned with three mysteries: this day the star led the Magi to the manger; this day wine was made from water at the wedding; this day Christ willed to be baptized in the Jordan by John in order to save us, alleluia."

-- Antiphon for the Magnificat, Second Vespers


 


This Webpage was created for a workshop held at Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, California in 2003....x....   “”.