O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! Today we recall the third of the “O Antiphons” preserved by the Church as a particular way to prepare for Christmas. For each of seven days before Christmas a special antiphon for the Magnificat at Vespers was sung which concerned both the announcement of a title of the Messiah, and reflected an Old Testament prophecy about him. These antiphons began with the word “O” - thus “O Antiphon.”
Today the title is “Root of Jesse’s stem!” The flower of Jesse’s stem, has been raised up as a sign of all people; kings stand silent in his presence, the nations bow down in worship before him! Let nothing keep him from coming to our aid!
The prophecy is this from Isaiah: “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom; and, on that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.”
The first reading today from the book of Judges tells of the birth of Samson to an elderly couple, beyond childbearing years. The son born to them would be special and the beginning of the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.
This, of course, prefigured the birth of John the Baptist - related in the gospel passage today! John was to herald the arrival of the Messiah himself who would set everyone free from everything that held them bound: most especially, sin!
Today our mouths are filled with your praise, God; and we sing your glory!
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