O Antiphon December 19--O Flower of Jesse's stem

O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. (Canticle of Mary Antiphon for Evening Prayer, December 19)

O come, thou rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust thy mighty power to save,
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave. (December 19 verse in O come, O come, Emmanuel)

And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1)

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.(Isaiah 11:10)

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope." (Romans 15:12)

The Flower of Jesse's stem is Christ, descended from Jesse through a long lineage enumerated in the Gospels. The Flower is the culmination of the stem, the reason for the plant, because the flower, upon its death, brings forth the fruit, the source of nourishment and the protecting case of the seed that will generate offspring. Scripture also calls the offspring of Jesse a rod or banner. In war, soldiers were heartened by rallying to the raised banner or rod. Jesus is the banner or rod, raised on the cross Who rallies Christians in the spiritual battles of life. He is the Flower Who, upon His death, produced the fruit of the Holy Spirit Who generates the seed of faith within the soul. If only people would recognize Him, they could not help but worship.

The O Antiphon for December 19 calls upon Christ to deliver from the enemy of the soul those who trust in Him and to give them victory over death. The Antiphon is particularly significant tonight when a friend of ours is going to deliver her dead unborn child as she and her husband, in their grief and loss, trust that they will see their child in eternity for Christ has won the victory over the grave. As our friend said today, "Our job as parents is to do everything we can so that our children can enter heaven. With this child, we have succeeded." Your prayers for this family are much appreciated.

My Lord, You are a beautiful Flower Who bloomed for thirty three years on earth. Your passing initiated the descent of the Holy Spirit Who every moment brings life and faith to souls. You are the banner raised above Golgotha to Whom we look for strength, humility, and love. You have drawn me to You. Let me live with You always, no matter what battles rage about me. No matter what happens, let me trust You to save my soul from eternal destruction. Amen.