O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! Today we recall the sixth 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 “King of the Nations” O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
The prophecy is this from Isaiah: “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”
The first reading today from the prophet Samuel speaks of the fulfillment of the promise that Hannah made to God. She who was thought to be sterile, after having given birth to Samuel, dedicated him to God in the temple - as she promised she would, if God would give her a child. This prefigures Elizabeth and John the Baptist; this even prefigures Mary and Jesus - Mary would also present Jesus in the temple, and remain a virgin forever!
The gospel passage is about Mary singing her exultant song of joy: The Magnificat! God favored her by choosing her to be the mother of his Son; his presence within her makes her burst forth with praise and song! When Jesus, and his Father and the Spirit are present within us: as they are as we celebrate this, and every Mass, our participation should reflect and mirror Mary’s: it should be full, and resounding: ever giving glory and worship to God who is faithful in keeping his promises!
Let our hearts exult enthusiastically in the Lord, our Savior!
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