The Great Antiphons

Genesis 49:2,​8-10
Psalm 71(72):1-4,7-8,17
Matthew 1:1-17

In eight days, Christians will again celebrate the miracle that forever changed the world. When God became one of us in Jesus, being born into our world in Bethlehem, we received a promise of hope we never thought possible and a blessing of joy we never believed our hearts could know. This is why Christians profess that in Jesus we meet our king and redeemer, our savior and messiah.

With the reform of the Lectionary and Divine Office after the Second Vatican Council, it was decided to introduce the O Antiphons into the Liturgy of the Word as the Gospel Acclamation during Mass. The O Antiphons, as they are commonly called, are the chants of ancient origin sung or recited at the beginning and end of the Magnificat during the service of Evening Prayer on each of the days leading up to Christmas Day, from 17-23 December.

Each of the antiphons, as used in the Liturgy of the Word, builds on the previous one, starting with ‘Wisdom’.  We are invited to inhabit the heart of the members of the people of Israel and of the Gentiles, of all who read the prophets and longed for the coming of the Saviour. 

The Genealogy of Matthew (Matthew 1) embraces prophecy and announces its gradual fulfillment by God, through the ages, until the sacred moment of the incarnation of the Messiah.  The acclamation speaks of these events being pre-ordained ‘with strength and gentleness’ till the king child is born.

But Jesus will be a king dramatically unlike other kings and a savior it is easy to overlook. The reading from Genesis foretells the royal life of Israel. Jacob announces to his son Judah that he, like other kings, will conquer his enemies, receive homage from the people, and be like a lion, “the king of beasts,” that everyone fears to approach.

By contrast, the psalm response envisions the reign of God that will break into the world in Jesus. Jesus will rule with the wisdom, mercy, and goodness of God. Under his kingship, the world will overflow with justice and peace. The poor will not be trampled, crushed, and forgotten, but liberated. The suffering will not be overlooked or ignored but comforted and healed.

The gospel passage from Matthew recounts the genealogy of Jesus. What can seem like a bewildering chronicle of names nearly impossible to pronounce reveals something wonderful: God works through human beings—including some who were dramatically flawed—to bring about something extraordinarily blessed. But it is easy to miss the blessing because God, who is savior and king, enters our world not in wealth and majesty, but as a helpless child in a family looking for shelter.

Today’s scriptures remind us that to prepare for the coming of Christ we must look for Jesus where perhaps we least expect to find him. Jesus is right before us, once more beseeching our help, in the stranger, in migrants and refugees, in the poor and homeless, in people of other races and cultures and religions, who, like Joseph and Mary and Jesus, need assistance. Are our hearts open to receiving them? Are our hands ready to help? Eternal Wisdom come to our aid and help us to believe that you are coming and grant us the grace to help others. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho