Friday, December 24, 2021

 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.