In the last days leading up to Christmas, the Church offers us six special titles of Jesus upon which to meditate in the official Evening Prayer of each day. Because each invocation begins with the word “O,” they have come to be known as the “O Antiphons.” Together, they form the verses of the famous Advent hymn, “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” Today’s homily considers three of these.
O Oriens – The “one who is rising.” The sun, but also the Son.
O Adonai – Used by the Israelites for the name of God. Jesus is Adonai; he is God.
O Emmanuel – The most famous title of the Messiah. God is with us.
In today’s gospel, Elizabeth rejoices that the mother of “my Lord,” the mother of Adonai, comes to her. John the Baptist, in his mother’s womb, recognizes the presence of “God with us” in the womb of Mary. John leaps for joy to be in the presence of the great Oriens, Adonai, Emmanuel. May each of us also recognize his presence and leap for joy.