O Come, O Come…

The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, which could suggest their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. One may conclude that in some fashion the O Antiphons have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church.

Each Antiphon highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel.

For each of the Anitphons, I will offer a brief meditation to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ.

Today, we begin with O Sapientia:

“21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” - 1 Corinthians 1:21-25

God is wise, and mankind – well mankind is foolish. We in the church are comfortable with this statement. It is true, after all. God is wise. Men are foolish. The distinction is nice and neat. It is crystal clear without a chance of confusion. Which is why Paul in 1 Corinthians 1 verse 25, leaves us feeling rather uncomfortable – “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Wait…what?! God – foolish? Impossible.

God cannot be foolish, it’s not who He is.

God has a weakness? Impossible.

God cannot have a weakness – He is God after all!

            And so, this wisdom of mankind sets a limit on what God can and cannot have – what He can and cannot do. But God broke the rules.

The Father sent the Son to leave the heavens and come to earth, but not in the form of a mighty deity too terrible to gaze upon. No, God came as a fetus, a little baby boy. And in this God acted foolishly. After all, a human can die.

God dying? Utter foolishness – blessed, holy, life-giving foolishness.

Look at the manger! Look at the cross! There is God acting foolishly – there is God’s wisdom stooping down to lift up each and every one of His sinful people.

Look at the manger! Look at the cross! There is God’s wisdom living and dying so that you might live forever.

            Make your wisdom known to the whole creation, and come quickly, Lord Jesus.