december 17-24: the great o's

the magnificat* is the song of the church at sunset, as the new day begins. for each day there are antiphons to give it particular meanings for changes ofthe cycle of the year. few of us know these antiphons unless we live in a monastic community, but most of us know the antiphons for the last week of advent, because they are the verses of the popular hymn "o come, o come, emmanuel

each verse is a title of the messiah from one of the prophets, especially isaiah. the hymn has been recorded and sung many times, but one of the most surprisingly moving renditions i have found is by a primarily rhythm and blues group, boyziimen. i hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

*The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55a


My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.