Scripture: 1 Kings 3:1-15

This Advent, we’ll be looking at five (of seven) names for Jesus that Christians have meditated on every Advent since about the sixth century.  These names come from what are known as the “O Antiphons” (short chants that all begin with the word “O” and are used antiphonally (i.e. responsively)).  The “O” that begins each antiphon expresses the sense of longing that’s characteristic of Advent. Their origin is unknown, but much of their imagery is borrowed from Isaiah.  In some traditions they are recited or sung every year in the days leading up to Christmas.  We know these antiphons best through their paraphrase in the hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  To enhance our longing for the return of Christ, we will meditate on him this season as O Sapientia (Wisdom), O Adonai (Lord), O Clavis (Key), O Oriens (DayStar), and O Emmanuel (God with Us).

Each week, our worship will make use of both the antiphons themselves (available HERE) and poems by Malcolm Guite which are based upon them.