Artwork by the Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey
December 21: 'O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of
righteousness. Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of
death.'
(Note: A literal translation of the Latin yields "O
Rising Sun", but the poetic "O Morning Star" is often
preferred).
The O Antiphons are a highlight of the Church's Advent
Liturgy: from December 17th - 23rd they frame the Magnificat at Vespers.
Rich in symbolism and meaning they take us right from the
beginning of creation, through the centuries of the world's waiting for the
promised Messiah, calling upon him who was hidden in signs and symbols, and
revealed when the fullness of time had come, leading us to the Mystery of the
Incarnation and beyond, to the Paschal Mystery, the coming of the Holy Spirit
and the Parousia (Christ's second coming).
The exact origin of the Latin texts is unknown. They may
date from the sixth century. There is evidence to suggest that the texts were
in liturgical use in Rome in the eighth century. Both the original Latin texts
and an English translation are given here.
Arriving at the 7th Antiphon on December 23rd, we may
discover that the letters of the Latin invocations, read from the last up to
the first, form a wonderful acrostic (ERO CRAS), like God's answer to our
prayer :
Dec. 17: Sapienta (O Wisdom)
Dec. 18: Adonai (O Adonai [Lord])
Dec. 19: Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
Dec. 20: Clavis David (O Key of David)
Dec. 21: Oriens (O Rising Sun)
Dec. 22: Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
Dec. 23: Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)
ERO CRAS: I WILL BE HERE TOMORROW
Christmas: O Wonderful Exchange (Antiphon
from the Greek Liturgy "O Wonderful Exchange! The Creator of the human
race took to himself a human body and was born of a virgin, and becoming man he
granted us divinity.")
Will it fit my lectern?
Frontals come with cord locks that enable you to adjust the hanging height and
width for most free-standing lecterns. Frontals hang below and tie around the
lectern’s front projection. If you are unsure whether our frontals will fit
your lectern, please contact us and we will advise you.
Important, please check before ordering:
The sloping book rest should have a front projection of at least 5cm.
Fabric, materials and production:
- 100%
Polyester (natural-feel material).
- Fade
resistant printing.
- Includes
wood rods (top and bottom) and end caps and gold effect draw cord and cord
locks.
- Fire
retardant: BS5867/Type B DIN4102
- A
sample of the material can be supplied upon request.
Delivery: Allow 10-14 days from date of order.
View all our Lectern Frontals here.
