Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent
(II Samuel
7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Luke 1:67-79)
The Church presents different titles for Jesus
on the seven days before Christmas Eve. In
this way it aids our reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation. The titles comprise the kernel of the “O
Antiphons” sung in the “alleluia” acclamation before the gospel reading at
Mass. Someone has cleverly noticed that the
first letters of the Latin titles given backwards, beginning with E for
Emmanuel on December 23, form the acrostic ERO CRAS, which means “I will be
tomorrow.” Tomorrow we will celebrate
Christ’s being with us as a human being.
He is a gift which should take our breath away.
The titles of the “O antiphons” in the
order of the acrostic run as follows. E
is for Emmanuel: Jesus is literally “God-with-us.” R is for Rex:
he is the king who will care for our needs.
O is for Oriens: Jesus comes
as the dawn bringing the light of truth.
C is for Clavis: he holds the
key of David to heaven’s door. R is for Radix: Jesus comes from the root of
Jesse, a royal pedigree assuring capability.
A is for Adonai: he is the
Lord God of Israel who loves the poor and oppressed. And S is for Sapientia: Jesus dispenses wisdom to assist us on the earthly
sojourn.
We are encouraged to attend midnight mass
on Christmas Eve. The reason for mass at
this hour runs deeper than waiting for new day to begin. Jesus promises to return “like a thief in the
night” and asks his disciples to watch for him.
Beyond dining and exchanging presents, we should use the late hours to
pray. We can reflect on the titles of
the “O antiphons.” As much as anything,
they help us to see Jesus’ significance.
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