O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God! Today we recall the fifth 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 in the monasteries 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 “Emmanuel!” O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God
The prophecy is this from Isaiah: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel - a name which means: God-is-with-us!”."
The first reading today from the prophet Zephaniah speaks eloquently about the deep joy that is experienced when the Lord is near! Those who had reason to fear, no longer need do so because God has come not only to set them free - but to establish them as a favored people - a place where he himself exults and rejoices because of the faithfulness of his people!
The gospel passage relates how Mary, upon learning of the pregnancy of her aged cousin Elizabeth, goes to visit her - to help her in her time of expectancy. John the Baptist - the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy at the nearness of his cousin - the Messiah - the Lord - who was now living in the womb of Mary! Where there is God - JOY ABOUNDS.
May we, this day, exult in the Lord; may we leap for joy, and sing him a new song!
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