Thoughts for the Day

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 'Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.' But Ahaz said, 'I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.' Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Our reading today is a prophecy that God's servant who will come to rescue His people will be born to a young woman. Today's 'O Antiphon', sung at Evensong, gives us another name for the Messiah. We have seen he will be called 'O wisdom', 'O Adonai' (ie 'O Lord'), and 'O Root of Jesse'. Today's verse adds the name 'O Key of David'. The antiphon or verse that is sung at Evensong, is:.

'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.'

This little verse offers a promise of hope to all those who have felt as though doors have barred their way in life; or to those who need to be freed from poverty; or to those who are oppressed; as well as to those who need to be freed from spiritual or physical blindness.

O Wisdom,
O Adonai,
O Root of Jesse,
O Key of David,
help us to learn more about You
and all that You offer to us.
As our knowledge increases
may we become worthy
of Your love,
Amen,