This Thursday, 3 December, at 5:30 pm, we will have a special service of Advent Lessons and Carols in the Pusey House Chapel to help us appreciate the hope and expectation of Advent. We will gather in darkness, and then begin the service in candlelight. The service is given shape by the Great 'O Antiphons', seven sentences based o Old Testament titles for the Messiah which are fulfilled and given their true sense by Christ (see below). The readings from the Bible, seasonal pieces sung by the choir, under the direction of Maks Adach, and some wonderful Advent carols and hymns, will help us to appreciate the riches of the season. As we hear more of the message of hope, we will move from darkness to light and celebrate the promise of the coming of the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us.
We will be joined by the Chaplain and guests from Oriel College.
We hope that you will be able to join us.
On Sunday, 6 December, at 11 am there will be the last Choral High Mass of term, for the Second Sunday of Advent with the Principal preaching on 'The Lettered Body'.
The Chapter of Pusey House wish you a blessed Advent and a Happy and Holy Christmas.
The Revd. Dr. George Westhaver, Principal
Revd. Mark Stafford, Chaplain
Samuel Aldred, Sacristan
Maksymilian, Adach Master of the Music
Benjamin Cunningham, Organist and Assistant Master of Music
Samuel Maginnis and Louis, Chapel Interns
An Introduction to the Service and the Great O's of Advent
The Advent Antiphons give shape to the service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The Advent Antiphons were originally sung before and after the Magnificat (the Song of Mary) at Evening Prayer on the seven days before Christmas Eve. They express the Advent longing for the Saviour. Each of the "O" Antiphons is based on an Old Testament title for the Messiah which is fulfilled and given its true sense by Christ. The first hymn, O come, O come, Emmanuel, rehearses these antiphons.
O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).
O Adonaï (O Lord)
“For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us" (Isaiah 33:22).
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1).
Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Clavis David (O Key of David)
"The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open” (Isaiah 22:22).
O Oriens (O Rising Sun)
“The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5).
O Emmanuel (God with us)
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14, Matt. 1.23).
We hope that you will be able to join us.
On Sunday, 6 December, at 11 am there will be the last Choral High Mass of term, for the Second Sunday of Advent with the Principal preaching on 'The Lettered Body'.
The Chapter of Pusey House wish you a blessed Advent and a Happy and Holy Christmas.
The Revd. Dr. George Westhaver, Principal
Revd. Mark Stafford, Chaplain
Samuel Aldred, Sacristan
Maksymilian, Adach Master of the Music
Benjamin Cunningham, Organist and Assistant Master of Music
Samuel Maginnis and Louis, Chapel Interns
An Introduction to the Service and the Great O's of Advent
The Advent Antiphons give shape to the service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The Advent Antiphons were originally sung before and after the Magnificat (the Song of Mary) at Evening Prayer on the seven days before Christmas Eve. They express the Advent longing for the Saviour. Each of the "O" Antiphons is based on an Old Testament title for the Messiah which is fulfilled and given its true sense by Christ. The first hymn, O come, O come, Emmanuel, rehearses these antiphons.
O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).
O Adonaï (O Lord)
“For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us" (Isaiah 33:22).
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1).
Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Clavis David (O Key of David)
"The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open” (Isaiah 22:22).
O Oriens (O Rising Sun)
“The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5).
O Emmanuel (God with us)
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14, Matt. 1.23).
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