#o clavis

[philipchircop]

O CLAVIS

For your advent reflection, here is the fourth in a series of sonnets by Malcolm Guite, anglican priest, poet and singer-songwriter. By all means read the poem first, but then make sure to be still and quiet long enough to allow it to read you, the words, phrases and images meandering through the labyrinthine passages of your mind and heart.

Sonnet: Malcolm Guite, Waiting on the Word: A poem a day for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, 2015

Word art: Philip Chircop

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O CLAVIS DAVID (December 18)

Here’s the Great Antiphon - O Clavis David (O Key of David) - with Gregorian chant notation from the Liber Usualis (1961), p. 340. Latin lyrics sung by the Cantarte Regensburg.

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel opening at your will the gate of heaven: come break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

[philipchircop]

O CLAVIS DAVID  - December 20

Prose Version:

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and none shutteth, who shuttest and none openeth: come Thou, and bring forth the captive from the house of bondage, who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Alternate Prose Translation: 

O KEY OF DAVID, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: COME, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel opening at your will the gate of heaven: come break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

Poetic Version:

Veni, Clavis Davidica, regna reclude caelica, fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum.

O come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

Scriptural Citations:

Isaiah 22:22: "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open."

Isaiah 9:6:"His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever."

Art: O Key by Sister Ansgar Holmberg

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