The O Antiphons: O Key of David: December 20

The O Antiphons. Keys hold power. They allow us to enter a house, to start a car, to keep things safe. Keys can also be symbols of authority. The one who has a key can open and can shut. And this is precisely what the bible understands what is meant by a key. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 22, it is God who will place the key of David as a sign of authority. In the third chapter of the Book of Revelation the key of David is the sign of authority of the Christ as he speaks to the Churches of Philadelphia. And Peter is given the keys to the kingdom by Jesus as the sign that he holds authority in this world.

Table of Contents

O Antiphons

O Key of David,

opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:

come and free the prisoners of darkness!

The Power to Open

Keys hold power. They allow us to enter a house, to start a car, to keep things safe. Keys can also be symbols of authority. The one who has a key can open and can shut. And this is precisely what the bible understands what is meant by a key, and it is precisely what this “O Key of David” is about. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 22, it is God who will place the key of David as a sign of authority. In the third chapter of the Book of Revelation the key of David is the sign of authority of the Christ as he speaks to the Churches of Philadelphia. And Peter is given the keys to the kingdom by Jesus as the sign that he holds authority in this world.

Jesus Opens the Gates

The theological claim here is that Jesus is the Son of God who opens the gates of the Kingdom. Jesus is not simply one more prophet speaking on behalf of God, Jesus IS GOD! The Key of David is held by the Christ who opens our prison door, freeing us from the prison of sin. We have been living lives of darkness and sin, and the Christ brings us into the light! And this is a cause of great joy indeed.

What is it in your life that you need Christ to open? How is it in your life you need to enter the newness of life God offers? Where is it that you need to let the King of Glory enter your hearts? Advent is a time of waiting, seeking and asking.

Do not be afraid. Time and time again we hear this phrase in the bible. Do not be afraid. In your life, have no fear about asking Jesus to come into your life. He longs to help you to know who you really are, a profound gift of God made in God’s image and likeness.

That is an amazing thing indeed. The power of the Incarnation is to realize the ways in which God is truly present in you and in your life. Yes there is brokenness. Yes there is sin. It can be the case that we close off God in our lives. But Jesus wants to open the way to God, for he is God.

Allow Jesus to do so. Allow the Lord Jesus to enter deeply into your heart. Allow Jesus to let you know that you are loved beyond your wildest imaginings!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a list of all the O Antiphons.

Check out these additional resources for Advent.