Artwork by the Benedictine Sisters of Turvey
Abbey
Christmas Day: '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.'
This antiphon comes from the Greek Liturgy, and was, until
Vatican II, also part of the Roman Liturgy of January 1. The whole mystery of
Christmas is summed up here, God's plan for the human race, the pattern of all
Christian life.
"The Spirit bears witness that we are God's children", wrote St Paul,
"God's heirs and Christ's fellow heirs, sharing his suffering now and his
glory hereafter." (Romans 8:16-17)
"God became man, so that man might come to share God's life," wrote
St Irenaeus, and, "Let us become gods through Christ, since Christ became
man through us."(St Gregory of Nazianzen)
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.
