O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Isaias 11:4-5
But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.
Isaias 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king: he will save us.
The O Antiphon for December 18
The O Antiphons are among the most cherished traditions of the Advent season, encapsulating profound theological truths in their poetic invocations. These ancient prayers, sung or recited during the final seven days before Christmas, focus on different titles of Christ, each rich in biblical imagery and significance. One of the most striking of these is the O Antiphon: “O Adonai.”
The invocation:
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
The term “Adonai” is the Hebrew word for “Lord,” used in reverence to avoid uttering the sacred name of God, YHWH. By addressing Christ as Adonai, the antiphon places Jesus squarely in the heart of the Old Testament narrative. It recognizes Him as the same God who revealed Himself to Moses, demonstrating the continuity of salvation history.
The Old Testament Reference
The reference to the burning bush is particularly striking. In Exodus 3, Moses encounters God in a bush that burns but is not consumed. This miraculous event signifies God’s transcendence and immanence—He is beyond creation yet present within it. The antiphon calls upon Christ, identifying Him as the divine presence revealed in that moment. Just as God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of slavery, so too does Christ come to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and death.
The mention of the Law given on Mount Sinai further deepens the antiphon’s theological richness. On Sinai, God entered into a covenant with Israel, providing the Ten Commandments as a guide for holy living. The antiphon’s plea for redemption “with an outstretched arm” echoes this covenantal theme. It alludes to the many times God saved His people in the Old Testament, often described as acts performed with His “outstretched arm” (e.g., Deuteronomy 5:15). Most poignantly, it prefigures the ultimate act of redemption: Christ’s outstretched arms on the cross.
The O Antiphon in Liturgy
Liturgically, the O Antiphons are sung during Vespers, accompanying the Magnificat. Their placement in the liturgy underscores their connection to Mary’s song of praise, which magnifies the Lord for His mighty deeds. The “O Adonai” antiphon, in particular, invites the faithful to reflect on the awe-inspiring mystery of God made flesh. The infinite Lord, who spoke from the burning bush and inscribed the Law on tablets of stone, now comes as a child born of a woman to dwell among His people.
Leading the Contemplation of the Incarnation
For us, Christians, “O Adonai” offers an invitation to ponder the paradox of the Incarnation. The antiphon calls us to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises, the divine Lawgiver who becomes the Redeemer. As we prepare for Christmas, it challenges us to embrace the humility and majesty of Christ’s coming, acknowledging Him as both Lord and servant, King and Shepherd.
By praying this antiphon, we join our voices with generations of believers who have awaited the coming of the Lord. We echo their cry: “Come to redeem us with an outstretched arm,” trusting that the same God who delivered Israel will deliver us and lead us into the fullness of His kingdom.
Crux Stationalis 