From Eden's Exile

From East, from Eden’s exile

began our searching cry:

Come, O Wisdom mighty, dawn

with radiant splendor, lightening

the sin-enshrouded eye.

Beneath the cloud-wrapped mountain

we learned, alone, on Thee

to call, the One: O Adonai,

come once again, Your own to lead

through depths of cleansing sea.

O Ancient Root, before Thee

kings their mouths shall stay.

Thou gave us once our shepherd-king;

from withered branch let hope now spring

again: O come, we pray.

The city’s gates we mourn,

sundered by enemy.

Captives, we long as pilgrims free

again up to Thy House to go:

We beg You come, O Key.

Long under pall of grief

we’ve gazed for breaking light

upon horizon’s edge: O come

Thou Dayspring, rise in heav’nly fire

to melt away the night.

Shattered since the soured

taste of Adam’s fall:

Come, over nations’ bitter strife,

O king Desired, in justice rule;

to loving peace bring all.

From East, from Eden’s exile

the cry of Israel

ascends in prayer across the years:

Make haste now Lord, delay no more:

O come, Emmanuel!

-Sr. Cecilia, CFR

This poem is based on the "O Antiphons" of Advent. These are "antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah." (From the USCCB website) To read more, click here: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/o-antiphons-advent