December 19, 2024
The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 3
Isaiah 11:10
12/19/2024
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as
a signal for the peoples -- of him shall the
nations inquire, and his resting place shall be
glorious. (ESV)
O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before
the peoples, before whom all kings are mute,
to whom the nations will do | homage:*
Come quickly to de- | liver us.
The Antiphon for December 19 is drawn from Isaiah: ``In that
day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the
peoples -- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting
place shall be glorious.''
At the time of Jesus' birth, there was no descendant of King
David on the throne in Jerusalem. Herod was not part of David's
family, but was put in charge of Judea because of political
reasons. The children of Israel longed for the restoration of
the kingdom of David and Solomon, based in part on Isaiah's
prophecy.
Jesus came first, not as a ruler, not to restore Israel, but
as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all people. One of the
themes of Advent is that of Christ Jesus coming again with the
blast of a trumpet to judge the living and the dead. This
Antiphon confesses that, although Christ Jesus won the victory
over sin and the grave, that victory will be given to us only
when He returns on the last day.
May our Lord grant us the strength of faith to wait for Him.
Amen.