Every year it happens, the mournful and hopeful chant of the O antiphons. Beginning on Dec. 17th, this most ancient of rites in the church begins the solemn novena for Christmas.
If you know the chant, I would encourage you to sing it yourself today. Or perhaps you could find a monastery where Vespers is still chanted in the ancient rite, and this will be sung.
Here is an explanation for today's antihpon:
Exodus 3:2: "An angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed".
Exodus 6:6: "Therefore say to the Israelites: I am Yahweh. I will free you from the enforced labor of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery. I will rescue you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment".
"Adonai" is Hebrew for "my Lord", and was substituted by devout Jews for the name "Yahweh", out of reverence. With this second antiphon we progress from creation to the familiar story of God manifesting himself by name to Moses and giving his law to Israel as their way of life. We are also reminded of the Israelites' deliverance from bondage under pharaoh - a foreshadowing of our own redemption from sin. The image of God's arm outstretched in power to save his chosen people also brings to mind the later scene of Jesus with his arms outstretched for us on the cross.(From http://www.rc.net/wcc/antiph18.htm)
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