Welcome to our last Meditation of the Advent Season! This last period of Advent is traditionally a period to consider the prophecies about Christ Jesus. This last week, we have been using the scripture passages that are the basis for the special antiphons for each of the seven days before Christmas. These antiphons were used from the early Middle Ages onwards in Latin-speaking churches at evening prayer from Dec. 17-23. The hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is based on these seven antiphons.
For today’s meditation, our brother Joseph Mathias provides commentary on Isaiah 7:14 and the “O Emmanuel” antiphon. Take a listen or click here to download. If you would like to subscribe to our daily Words from the Servants podcast or download the full list of Advent Meditation Passages we’ll be covering this December, click here.
Antiphon:
“O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the expected one of the nations and their savior, come to save us, O Lord our God.”
Note: Also see Isaiah 33:22; Genesis 49:10 [Vulgate]; Isaiah 51:5; and Matthew 2:2.
Isaiah 7:14:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.
