SIXTH
ANTIPHON
O Rex Gentium
O
Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, Lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum;
veni, et salva hominem quem de limo formasti.
O
King of nations, and their Desired One, and the CornerStone that makest both
one; come and save man whom thou formedst out of slime.
O King of Nations! thou art approaching still nigher to Bethlehem, where
thou art to be born. The journey is almost over, and thy august Mother,
consoled and strengthened by the dear weight she bears, holds an unceasing
converse with thee on the way. She adores thy divine Majesty; she gives thanks
to thy mercy; she rejoices that she has been chosen for the sublime ministry of
being Mother to God. She longs for that happy moment when her eyes shall look
upon thee, and yet she fears it. For, how will she be able to render thee those
services which are due to thy infinite greatness, she that thinks herself the
last of creatures? How will she dare to raise thee up in her arms, and press
thee to her heart, and feed thee at her breasts? When she reflects that the
hour is now near at hand, in which, being born of her, thou wilt require all
her care and tenderness, her heart sinks within her; for, what human heart
could bear the intense vehemence of these two affections, the love of such a
Mother for her Babe, and the love of such a Creature for her God? But thou
supportest her, O thou the Desired of Nations! for thou, too, longest for that
happy Birth, which is to give the earth its Saviour, and to men that
ComerStone, which will unite them all into one family. Dearest King! be thou
blessed for all these wonders of thy power and goodness! Come speedily, we
beseech thee, come and save us, for we are dear to thee, as creatures that have
been formed by thy divine hands. Yea, Come, for thy creation has grown
degenerate; it is lost; death has taken possession of it: take it thou again
into thy almighty hands, and give it a new creation; save it; for thou hast not
ceased to take pleasure in and love thine own work.
THE GREAT ANTIPHON IN HONOR OF
CHRIST
O Rex Pacifice, tu ante saecula nate, per auream egredere portam, redemptos
tuos visita, et eos illuc revoca, unde ruerunt per culpam.
O King of Peace! that wast born before all ages, come by the golden gate;
visit them whom thou hast redeemed, and lead them back to the place whence they
fell by sin.
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