O Antiphon – O King of nations come save us

Artwork by Sister Rosemary Borntrager, SP, 2002.

Jesus the Christ enters the antiphons directly as the one who is King and Desired of all. He will bind God’s people Israel with the Gentile world. The foundation of this union is Christ as the cornerstone.

Speaking eloquently to both Jewish and Gentile Christians, St. Paul uses the cornerstone image in the letter to the Ephesians. He writes: “You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundation and Christ Jesus himself for its cornerstone.”

What can you do to continue to build this holy temple? How do you help to heal the divisions that exist in our world both between different faith traditions and also among those of the same faith community who are at variance with one another?

O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come and save us whom you fashioned out of clay.

To get your own expanded copy of the Sisters of Providence O Antiphons booklet, visit Linden Leaf Gifts here.

About these O Antiphons

Text (adapted for the blog by Sister Ann Casper) by Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer (RIP). Artwork by Sister Rosemary Borntrager, 2002.

Among the favorite prayers of the Advent season are the O Antiphons prayed on the closing days of Advent, Dec. 17 to Dec. 23.

Many of the most significant titles of the One who is to come weave together in the O Antiphons to form a biblical account of how Israel awaited the promised Messiah. Their hope-filled longing came to realization in salvation through Jesus the Christ.

The antiphons trace a chronological path through Israel’s history of people and events that led to the coming of the Messiah who brought salvation for the people. The illustrations add visuals for reflection and contemplative insights into the meaning of the antiphons and enhance their beauty.

We invite you to reflect on an O Antiphon each day leading to Christmas. One word dominated this ancient prayer – Come!!!

For what need or desire do you most eagerly pray, “Come, Lord Jesus?”