Thursday, October 07, 2010

O Antiphons

The Christmas Carol we know of as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is based on a monastic tradition from the medieval period of crafting "O Antiphons" around the names for Jesus embedded in the Old Testament. Here, to the best of my knowledge are all of the verses of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" in the order of the original Antiphons. Along side these are scripture references related to the names.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
Isaiah 40:3-5a
Proverbs 8:22-36 (wisdom’s role in creation)
Colossians 1:15-20
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Traditionally one of the Antiphons relates Jesus to Moses
Exodus 20:1-20
Psalm 19, 145, 105
I am statements from John 8:48-59
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
Isaiah 11:1-3, 10-11, Isaiah 52:13-53:6
Micah 5:1-5
Matthew 12:15-21
Revelation 5:1-5, 22:16
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Isaiah 22:15-25
The phrase “key of David, comes from 22:22 but the context refers to a misuse of authority; too much weight placed on one person.
Isaiah 42:1-9.


Matthew 12:22-32
Matthew 20:29-34
Matthew 22:41-45
Revelation 3:7-8
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah 58:6-9
Malachi 4:1-3
Luke 1:67-80
Hebrews 1:1-4
O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace.
Haggai 2:1-9
Isaiah 28:16b-22
Matthew 25:31-46
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O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Isaiah 7:10-17
Isaiah 8:5-8
Matthew 1:18-25