Pilgrim's Perch

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.

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

In the book of Isaiah we find the prophecy:

‘A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.’ (Isaiah 11:1)

and 

‘On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.’ (Isaiah 11:10)

Here, Jesus Christ is likened to a root; we get references to the Tree of Jesse, a family tree that leads, via King David, to the birth of Jesus. (Another of the Old Testament prophets, Micah, has foretold that the Messiah would come of David’s line and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem.) But we also see the image that Jesus will use when speaking to his followers, of their need to be rooted in him. He will teach that a sound tree will bear good fruit – and if his followers root themselves in him they, too, will bear good fruit.