THE O ANTIPHONS

Starting in the first millenium of Christianity, there was a buildup to the feast of Christmas. Each day an antiphon was sung dramatically at Vespers (sundown prayer) presenting central and alluring metaphors for the Incarnation of the Eternal Christ. (Remember that the Jewish tradition had all feasts begin at sundown on the previous day. Religious feasts were originally observed sundown to sundown. They transitioned to midnight to midnight with the invention of the clock.)


In these O Antiphons, when read backwards in the monastic illustrated Psalters, the opening letters of each day spelled across the page ERO CRAS, or “Tomorrow I will be.” It was an ancient form of very effective religious theater and presentation.


Today, December 17, begins with the letter S for sapientia. Wisdom—sophia in Greek, sapientia in Latin, sabiduria in Spanish—was the feminine metaphor for the Eternal Divine, as found especially in the books of Proverbs and Wisdom. One might partner or compare Sophia with Logos, which is the masculine metaphor for the Divine. It is interesting that Logos was used in John's Gospel (1:9-14) and became the preferred tradition, but Sophia was seldom used outside of the monasteries. On December 17 we invoke the feminine image of God as Holy Wisdom.

Merton's Voice: Mercy is the thing, the deepest thing that has been revealed to us by God. A mercy that cannot fail.

Thomas Merton In Alaska: The Alaska Conferences, Journals, and Letters, ed. Robert E. Daggy (New York: New Directions, 1989): 160

Psalm 89: 2-3: I will sing of your mercy forever, LORD proclaim your faithfulness through all ages.

Contemplative Pause: Throughout this day, pause, take a breath, and listen with your heart. How are you mercy to yourself and others?