O Root of Jesse
December 19
ANTIPHON
O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before Whom all kings are mute, to Whom the nations will do homage: Come to deliver us, and delay not.
READING
From Isaiah chapters 11, 52, and 53:
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. … In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. … So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless. … He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot out of dry ground.
COLLECT
O Lord, you kill and make alive, you cut down and you cause to sprout anew. Lifted up high on the tree of the cross, your Son brought forth life from death, a spring out of our winter. Grafted into him, we long for that day when burgeon turns to blossom. Sustain us as we await his coming, that even now faith may bring forth fruit. Amen
HYMN
O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
