December 19, 2014 - O Antiphon - Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse.  Come, save us, and do not delay.

Isaiah prophesied the restoration of David's throne.  Christ is the root of Jesse in two ways:  he is the descendant of Jesse and he inherited the royal throne.  This antiphon ends with the urgent cry "come, save us, and do not delay."

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.