Advent, pink candle, O Antiphons

Sun Dec 16, 2007 was “Gaudate Sunday”; the reason why the traditional Advent Wreathe has the pink candle and one of the 2 days when pink is the liturgical color, (the other being “Laudate Sunday”, 5th Sun of Lent). Alas, pink has fallen to disuse, I have not seen one Advent Wreathe with a pink candle in it this year much less any pink vestments. [If you do not know “gaudate” and “laudate” are latin terms referring to the Introits for their respective
liturgical text meaning; “rejoice” and “praise”.]
For me the last week of Advent is like the last week of Lent. As there can be no Easter without Holy Week there can be no Christmas without O Antiphon Week.
At this point some may be asking what is O Antiphon. Most of you will be familiar with them but just do not know that you are. The popular Advent hymn is based on the O Antiphons: Veni Veni Emmanuel, O Come O Come Emmanuel.
These antiphons go way back. Their liturgical source is in the Daily Office (Liturgy of Hours, Breviary, Morning/Evening Prayers, etc.). Traditionally the O Antiphons were prayed/sung after the collect (assigned prayer of the day) of every hour of the Office (Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, Compline). But of recent date they have become to be used solely at Vespers or Compline as the Antiphon for the Vesper Canticle the Magnificat or the Compline Canticle the Nunc Dimittis.
I would like you to consider praying them during this time of year. So for the next 7 days I am going to try and send them to you; use them as God may direct even if that means deleting them.
God’s Blessings on You
vincent ira ciaramitaro


December 17 O SAPIENTIA O WISDOM
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos vitam prudentiae.

O Wisdom, Coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, starting from the beginning of time extending to the end of time. Establishing all things with strength and delight. Come and teach us a life of integrity.

(translation is mine with much poetic/theological license)

O ANTIPHON #2
December 18, O ADONAI
O Adonai et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti et ei in Sini legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in bracchio extento.

O Adonai and Head of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moshe in the fire of the flaming bush, and who on Sinai delivered the Torah: Come with outstretched arms to heal us.

(translation is mine with much poetic/theological license)

This translation is one fraught with difficulty. The word Adonai is difficult on many levels. It is a transliteration of the hebrew, well sort of a transliteration. Adonai is not really the word in the hebrew text but the word used to reframe from naming the Deity.
Translators down through the ages have struggled with what to do about this. Many have opted to use the word Lord in english which has it own problems. I personally think what the Jerusalem and New Jerusalem translators did is the best way to handle this, and so many of you know I have advocated for this translation in public liturgical settings. Whenever Adonai appears the JB/NJB Yahweh is the word used.
Jerome in the Vulgate consistently used the words “Dominus” and “Deus” for Adonai. This has influenced modern translators greatly. However in following Jerome and using Lord the problem of gender and the deity is not addressed.
Musicians have gone in all sorts of direction when it comes to this verse in O Come O Come Emmanuel.
When you add the spiritual theology of the apophatic approach to the none naming of the Deity there is much to ponder over this word Adonai.
I opted for Adonai for a couple of reasons. One, it is the traditional rendering. Two, it places the whole Advent milieu of being apophatic in context.
peace vincent ira ciaramitaro

DECEMBER 19 O ANTIPHON #3

O Radis Iesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardere.

O One rooted in Jesse, who is seen as a sign, who silences the mighty, and in whose realm we all reside: Let not our desires prevent your coming to set us free.

(translation is mine with much poetic/theological license)

Thanks to all who have responded. There are those who have maintained a pink candle in their Advent Wreathe, and yes there is one who has reported on pink vestments being used Sun.
peace vincent ira ciaramitaro

DECEMBER 20 O ANTIPHON #4

O Clavis David, et sceptum domus Israel; quia aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris sedentum in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Guard of the house of David in Israel, the one who admits and prevents entry, come lead us from this house of the fear of death in which we now reside.

(translation is mine with much! much! poetic/theological license)

DECEMBER 21 O ANTIPHON # 5

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae; veni et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbria mortis

O First Light of the day, stretching from horizon to horizon, and casting a shadow of justice: come shinning unto all the dark places of life.

(translation is mine with much poetic/theological license)