O Key of David
December 20
ANTIPHON
O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.
READING
From Psalm 107 and Isaiah chapters 22 and 42:
They dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, … and he led them forth from darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bonds asunder.
I will place on his shoulder the key of the House of David. When he opens, no one shall shut; when he shuts, no one shall open. … I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
COLLECT
O Christ, in you the captive is set free, for you are the Key that unlocks the shackles of sin and opens the door to eternal life. As we await the Great Jubilee of our liberation, bind us to one another in holy love. Amen
HYMN
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
