We Are Near

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December 17

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from one end to the other mightily,

and sweetly ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

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December 18

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

December 19

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

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December 20

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

December 21

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

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December 22

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

December 23

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Images above (and on the front‐page mastheads) by Linda Witte Henke: “The Great O Antiphons.” The works in this collection were created with cotton fabric, cotton batting, and synthetic felt that was dyed, painted, screen‐printed, stenciled, and stamped, then embellished with appliqué, improvisational stitching, hand embroidery, and found objects (metal hardware and plastic stars); 176 inches wide by 41 inches high, installed.

Words above from the Church of England’s “Common Worship” liturgy (“The Advent Antiphons,” starting on page 58 in the PDF link.)

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