19 DECEMBER – THIRD GREATER ANTIPHON

From In Lumine Fidei

THIRD GREATER ANTIPHON

O Root of Jesse, who stands as the standard of the people; before whom Kings will not open their lips; to whom the nations will pray: come and deliver us; tarry now no more.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

At length, O Son of Jesse! you are approaching the city of your ancestors. The Ark of the Lord has risen and journeys with the God that is in her to the place of her rest. “How beautiful are your steps, O daughter of the Prince” (Canticles vii. 1) now that you are bringing to the cities of Judah their salvation! The Angels escort you, your faithful Joseph lavishes his love upon you, Heaven delights in you, and our Earth thrills with joy to bear thus upon itself its Creator and its Queen. Go forward, O Mother of God and Mother of Men! Speed thee, thou Propitiatory that holds within you the divine Manna which gives us life! Our hearts are with you, and count your steps. Like your royal ancestor David, we will enter not into the dwelling of our house, nor go up into the bed whereon we lie, nor give sleep to our eyes, nor rest to our temples, until we have found a place in our hearts for the Lord whom you bear, a tabernacle for this God of Jacob” (Psalm cxxxi. 3, 4, 5). Come, then, O Root of Jesse! Thus hid in this Ark of purity, you will soon appear before your people as the standard round which all that would conquer must rally. Then, their enemies, the Kings of the world, will be silenced, and the nations will offer you their prayers. Hasten your coming, dear Jesus! Come and conquer all our enemies, and deliver us.