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O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay.

Now we get a clue as to the ultimate name for our Saviour. Here is a king indeed.

Isaiah had prophesied:

‘For a child has been born for us, a son given us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6)

and 

‘He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ (Isaiah 2:4)

But this is a king with a difference. He isn’t aloof, seated on a throne and completely unreachable. This is a king who engages fully with the human race. At the beginning of creation humans are formed out of the dust of the earth, or clay; we are shaped but we still have the capacity for choice.

‘But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand’ (Isaiah 64:8)

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

This antiphon is marked on 21st December, the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. It is a day on which we look forward to a change – the darkness will slowly lessen and increased light will be apparent, albeit slowly at first.

Our friend Isaiah had prophesied:

‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.’ (Isaiah 9:2)

and Malachi again:

‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings’ (Malachi 4:2) 

Suddenly we seem to turn a corner – there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we won’t be left floundering in the dark. The image of ‘Dayspring’ – that idea of light springing out of darkness is a powerful one, echoed in the carol that many will be singing at Christmas, with its lines:

‘Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace: hail the Sun of Righteousness.

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.’

(Hark! the herald angels sing, Charles Wesley)

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

The prophet Isaiah had said:

‘I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open.’  (Isaiah 22:22)

and

‘His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore.’ (Isaiah 9:7)

then

‘…To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.’ (Isaiah 42:7)

Keys may be seen as symbols of authority and control. The authority is certainly here in the coming Messiah but the control is a two-way thing. If Christ’s followers will accept his wisdom and teaching Christ will open to them a new way of life and freedom, unlocking the bars and inhibitions which once held them captive.