Genesis 49.2,8-10; Psalm 71; Matthew 1.1-17
Each of the final seven days of Advent has a Latin title drawn from the antiphon sung before the canticle Magnificat at Evening Prayer. These antiphons are seven names for the Child our prayers express our longing for. They are very ancient, mentioned by Boethius in the
5th Century. Today we address Christ as O Sapientia: the Wisdom by which the world was made [Proverbs 8.22-31], is redeemed [I Corinthians 1.21], and by means of which the whole creation lives in hope. (Colossians 1.27-28)
When the whole list of Advent antiphons is read backwards, they form an acrostic sentence: Ero cras, “I will be with you tomorrow.” [cf Apocalypse 3.11] (This year we don’t hear the second of the antiphons, O Adonai, because that day falls on Sunday.) As we pray in these last Advent Days for Our Saviour to come quickly [I Corinthians 16.22; Apocalypse 22.20] we pray that he will fill us with Wisdom to recognise him when he comes. [Luke 7.35] “Wisdom of the Most High, ordering all things with strength and gentleness, come and teach us the way of truth.”