So who is this Jesse, what is 'the root', and what does this have to do with Advent? Well, Jesse was the father of King David. Wiki gives this brief overview of David's life:
His life may be dated to c.1040–970 BC, his reign over Judah c.1010–1003 BC, and his reign over the united Kingdom of Israel c.1003–970 BC (2 Samuel 5:4-5). The Books of Samuel are the primary source of information on his life and reign, continuing with his descendants in the Books of Kings.King David wrote many of the Psalms, infamously slayed the giant Goliath, and was the great heavenly anointed ruler of Israel. During the decline and ultimate end of the Davidic kings (which had lasted more than 400 years), in the 8th century BC, the prophet Isaiah foretells that the 'Anointed one', the Christ, the Messiah, would one day descend from the "house of David", (the root of Jesse) and restore the Jewish Kingdom. The Jewish people expected (and continue to expect) that this 'Anointed one' would return and re-establish the heavenly Jewish Kingdom. Christians believe that Jesus was this 'Christ', the 'Anointed one', the 'Holy One of Israel'. When Isaiah wrote, he was expressing the expectation, longing and hope of Israel for the reestablishment of this Jewish Kingdom by this Messiah. This longing for the return of the Jewish Kingdom was so real and strong among the people, that King Herod feared the birth of this "King of the Jews" so greatly that he tried to destroy Him by slaughtering all the male children in Bethlehem in the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, which we 'celebrate' (seems like an odd word here) right after Christmas, on Dec 28th.
So during Advent we are in part recalling or reliving that great hope and longing of the Jewish people for the coming of the Anointed One, and the salvation of Israel. We relive and celebrate that first advent - the birth of Christ - and the salvation not only of Israel, but of those who dwell in every nation. In hindsight, we also know that Christ came, was rejected, crucified, died, rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven where he lives with the Father. We believe He will come again, and thus we continue to express and live this hope at each Mass when we pray to be kept 'free of all fear and anxiety' as we 'wait in joyful hope' for this second coming.
O root of Jesse, strengthen our faith and longing for union with you in this life and beyond. Remove all that keeps us separated from you and keep us free of all fear and anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of you, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
O Radix Jesse |
| O Root of Jesse, who stand as a sign for the people, kings stand silent in your presence, whom the nations will worship: come to set us free, put it off no longer. . |
| * * * |
| O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare |
O Come Emmanuel VerseO come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem, form ev'ry foe deliver them that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! |
Veni, O Iesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula, de spectu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri. Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Nascetur pro te, Israel! |
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