The O Antiphons - December 20th: O Key of David (O Clavis David)
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
Traditionally, a key is a symbol of authority. Consider Christ handing over the keys to St. Peter, symbolizing the institution of the papal authority on earth. In a monastery, there is great significance to the transition of keys to the new abbot. When one has the keys to a home or place, they inherit the authority to lock or unlock the entrance depending on who knocks at the door. In this way, they also inherit a responsibility to keep the place safe, protected from unwanted intruders, and shut off from the erosive elements. With Christ, we find the ultimate Authority, yet the most merciful Gatekeeper. We are reminded that all we need to do is “knock and the door shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). Not …More