The Great O Antiphons. 20 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

English: Workshop of The Della Robbia (Early-16th-Century).

Madonna with Child, The Holy Spirit and two Cherubims, enamelled terracotta.

Français: Atelier des Della Robbia (début du XVIe siècle.

Vierge à l'Enfant avec le Saint Esprit et deux chérubins, terre cuite émaillée.

Current location: Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

Accession Number: Campana 32.

Source/Photographer: Jastrow (2006).

(Wikimedia Commons)

"O Clavis, David".

The Great O Antiphon for 20 December.

Gregorian Chant notation from The Liber Usualis (1961), p. 341.

Latin lyrics sung by The Cantarte Regensburg.

Available on YouTube at

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20 December: Isaias xxii. 22;

Apocalypse iii. 7; Luke i. 79

O Clavis, David,

et sceptrum domus Israel;

qui aperis, et nemo claudit,

claudis, et nemo aperit:

veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,

sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David,

and Sceptre of The House of Israel,

Who openest and no man shutteth,

Who shuttest and no man openeth;

come and bring forth from his prison-house,

the captive that sitteth in darkness and

in the shadow of death.

Versicle. Rorate.

“Rorate cæli desuper, et nubes pluant justium . . .”

“Ye Heavens, drop down from above,

and let the clouds rain down The Just One”.